Landon Lavelle Mentink Obituary, Death – Authorities say a road rage dispute in Lake County ended in tragedy Tuesday night, leaving one man dead and another facing serious criminal charges. The incident happened along U.S. Highway 24, just outside Leadville, and quickly escalated from confrontation to violence.

According to a release from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Robert Price Chase, a resident of Leadville. Investigators allege that Chase shot and killed 40-year-old Landon Lavelle Mentink, also from Leadville, during the altercation. The incident occurred in the 13200 block of the highway, a stretch of road just south of town.

Emergency responders were called to the scene after reports of shots fired. When law enforcement arrived, they found Mentink critically injured. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly afterward. Officials have not released details about what sparked the confrontation, but investigators believe a traffic-related dispute led to the shooting.

Chase was taken into custody shortly after the incident and booked into the Lake County Detention Center. He has been charged with second-degree murder, though additional charges could follow as the investigation continues. The CBI noted that local authorities, including the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, are working in coordination with state investigators to gather evidence, speak with witnesses, and reconstruct the chain of events leading to the deadly encounter.

On Wednesday, Chase made his first appearance in court. During the brief hearing, his bond was set at $100,000. He is scheduled to appear again on October 16, when prosecutors are expected to present further details about the case. At this time, it remains unclear whether Chase has retained legal representation.

The violent outcome has left residents of Leadville shocked and saddened. Community members describe both men as longtime locals, making the tragedy all the more unsettling for those who knew them. Many have expressed disbelief that a roadway dispute could escalate to such a deadly conclusion.

Road rage incidents, while not uncommon across the country, rarely escalate to this level of violence. Public safety officials emphasize that aggressive driving, impatience, and confrontational behavior can have devastating consequences, urging drivers to de-escalate whenever possible and call law enforcement if a situation becomes threatening.

The CBI has encouraged anyone who may have been driving in the area at the time of the incident to contact authorities if they witnessed the confrontation or have dash camera footage that could shed light on the moments leading up to the shooting. Investigators are working to compile a full account of what transpired between Chase and Mentink on Tuesday night.

The Lake County Detention Center has confirmed that Chase remains in custody as he awaits his next court date. The second-degree murder charge he faces carries the possibility of significant prison time if he is convicted. Prosecutors have not ruled out the potential for additional charges, depending on what the investigation uncovers.

Meanwhile, the family of Landon Mentink is left grieving the sudden and violent loss of a loved one. Tributes have begun circulating on social media as friends and relatives recall his life, his presence in the community, and the void left behind by his death. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.

The case underscores the dangers of roadway confrontations and the lasting consequences they can carry. For now, Lake County remains shaken as authorities move forward with their investigation, the courts prepare to hear the charges, and a community reflects on a tragedy that unfolded along a familiar highway.