Man arrested in 2021 shooting death on Fairway Drive

One count of open murder with the use of a deadly weapon is the charge against John Powell Morgan III, who was arrested last weekend in connection with the May 31, 2021, death of Scott Dingman.

Boulder City Police Department detectives took Morgan into custody at a car dealership in Henderson just after 7 p.m. on Saturday. The arrest warrant stems from an incident on Fairway Drive in Boulder City, where Dingman was shot in the roadway. Both men were armed and had been drinking that night.

The case had remained open for more than five years after police initially ruled the shooting a self-defense action. No charges were filed by the district attorney at that time. The Boulder City Police Department issued a news release stating that new information received in 2025 triggered another review of the case.

Investigators executed a search warrant at Morgan’s residence in April 2025. During that search, they recovered new evidence that supported further investigation. Over the following year, investigators identified pertinent information that led to probable cause for the arrest. Morgan was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on Saturday.

Ashley Dingman, the victim’s wife, said in an email that the arrest marks the end of a five-and-a-half-year struggle for justice. She noted that she had often wondered if the truth would come to light. Her brother, Joshua Dingman, expressed relief in an email, thanking Detective Chris Slack and James Garcia for moving the case forward. He also called for accountability from original investigators and Police Chief Tim Shea.

Morgan made his initial appearance in Boulder City Justice Court on Monday. Judge Christopher Tilman recused himself due to a prior legal relationship with Morgan. Judge Gregory Mills presided via video conference. Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Giles stated that the arrest resulted from new video evidence and previously missing witnesses. Giles noted that video evidence Morgan initially denied exists is now available, though some segments corresponding to essential times in the case have been deleted or renamed.

Morgan’s attorney, Louis Schneider, argued that Morgan is not a flight risk and requested a $50,000 bail. Giles asked that bail be denied. Judge Mills set bail at $1 million. Schneider told the court that a video exists showing Dingman, a convicted felon with a concealed weapon, holding Morgan in a chokehold and pointing a loaded gun at his head two hours before the shooting. The Dingman family’s attorney, Maggie McLetchie, told the Review-Journal that the video shows the friends engaged in horseplay, a description backed by the police report.

Schneider stated that Morgan will plead not guilty. The next court date is set for 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, for the arraignment. In April 2025, Morgan was arrested on drug-related charges in his Boulder City home. Officer James Garcia found a white powdery substance consistent with cocaine, a digital scale, and Ziploc bags during the search. At that time, Chief Tim Shea stated the drug arrest was unrelated to the shooting case.

Morgan’s mother, Teri Kerr, spoke after the Monday hearing, describing her son as kind and gentle. She said her son’s life has been threatened and attributed the arrest to dirty cops and corrupt politicians. A city spokeswoman said the city has no further comment at this time.