Arellano gets 5 years for trailer park shooting

Ten months after shooting another man in a Yuma trailer park, leaving him a paraplegic for the rest of his life, Carlos Arellano is going to prison for his actions that day.

Arellano, who recently pleaded guilty to one felony count of aggravated assault in plea agreement, was sentenced to five years in prison Wednesday morning, with credit for time previously served.

He was originally charged with one count of attempted second-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault, one for causing serious injury and the other for using a deadly weapon. Those charges against him were dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea.

The sentence stems from an incident that happened on May 8, 2012, in which Arellano shot 47-year-old Guss Kasper once in the back while the two were at the Walnut Avenue Trailer Park, which is located at 1946 S. Walnut Ave.

According to Yuma police, several other people were present at the time of the shooting, which happened at 9:48 a.m. It was not known at the time why the group was there, or if Kasper was with them when they arrived at the location.

Everyone in the group fled the scene prior to police arrival and Kasper was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.

As police responded to the scene, McGraw Elementary, Gwyneth Ham Elementary, Gila Vista Junior High, Harvest Preparatory Academy, Desert View Academy, Shepherd's Watch Academy and Wonder Kidz Day Care were all placed in lockdown for about 45 minutes as a precaution.

Later that same day, at about 2 p.m., a Yuma police officer spotted Arellano in the 1900 block of 2nd Avenue. After being spotted, Arellano ran into a nearby residence, which resulted in a 55-minute standoff.

YPD's Special Enforcement Team and Hostage Negotiation Team were called to the scene and established a perimeter around the residence. Negotiators eventually made contact with Arellano, and he surrendered without incident to members of the Special Enforcement Team shortly before 3 p.m.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.