Yuma man arrested in party shooting makes appearance in court

The Yuma man who allegedly fired a pistol into a crowd of 17 people after an argument with another person made his initial appearance in Somerton Justice Court Tuesday morning.

Somerton Justice of the Peace Jorge Lozano informed 44-year-old Nicolas Amarillas that he was being held on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault upon a minor, criminal damage, misconduct involving weapons and attempted murder.

Lozano also explained to Amarillas that he would be returning to court at 11 a.m. on Thursday, at which time he would be told if prosecutors had filed a criminal complaint against him, charging him with any of the offenses.

Amarillas' bond was also set at $67,500. If he does not make bail, he will make his appearance via video feed from the Yuma County jail. If he is out of custody, he is scheduled to appear at 10 a.m.

According to the Yuma County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a residence in the 12500 block of South Drysdale Lane at about 7:30 p.m. Saturday in reference to shots being fired at a party.

Deputies learned that a male subject, later identified as Amarillas, had been involved in an argument with another guest. Amarillas is said to have left the party and returned 30-45 minutes later with a handgun.

Amarillas allegedly fired at least 12 rounds from a 9mm handgun at the man he'd been arguing with earlier. At least two rounds struck a parked vehicle that the victim was hiding behind.

None of the 17 people at the party when the shots were fired was injured.

YCSO investigators found Amarillas at about 11:30 a.m. Monday and arrested him. He was booked into the Yuma County jail on charges of attempted homicide and aggravated assault.