Yuma man arrested in shooting charged with attempted murder

The Yuma man who allegedly fired a pistol into a crowd of 17 people after an argument was back in court Thursday for a hearing in which he was told a criminal complaint had been filed against him, charging him with two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

Nicolas Amarillas, 44, who posted bond of $67,500 and was out of custody, was also charged in Somerton Justice Court with two counts aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Jorge Lozano, who read the charges against him.

Lozano also scheduled Amarillas' next court date, which is a preliminary hearing, for 2 p.m. Dec. 7, and ordered him to report to pre-trial services. Amarillas informed the court that he would be retaining his own council.

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.

No one at the party 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.