18-year-old charged in shooting deaths of two pregnant cows

Anonymous tip led deputies to arrest four months later

An 18-year-old man has been arrested in the four-month mystery of who killed two pregnant cows in the Arizona Strip area near Kingman.

The Mohave County Sheriff's Department says it arrested Briggs Roberts, 18, after he allegedly admitted to shooting two cows in December.

The Sheriff's Department said deputies responded to a rural area on Mt. Trumbull Loop in the Arizona Strip area on Dec. 22, where they made contact with a rancher who said two of his cows had been shot. Both of the cows were pregnant with calves, one of which was just days away from birthing.

Deputies searched the area and located two sets of tire tracks that led directly toward where the deceased cows were located. Deputies also located several .22 rifle shell casings laying in the roadway.

On Friday, April 12, Mohave County Sheriff's Office Deputies received an anonymous tip identifying a suspect and vehicle description. Deputies made contact with the suspect, identified as Briggs Roberts.

During an interview with deputies, Roberts allegedly admitted to shooting the cows. Criminal charges have been submitted to the Mohave County Attorney's Office for a felony charge of killing livestock and a misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals.

Information provided by Mohave County Sheriff’s Office