Drive-by shooting suspect arraigned on multiple felonies

A felony complaint was filed Wednesday against a suspect in an alleged drive-by shooting over the holiday weekend.

Yuma resident Ulysses Javier Gonzales, 24, was arraigned in Yuma Justice Court and pending charges filed, including one count of misconduct involving a weapon, a class four felony; one count of drive-by shooting, a class two felony; two counts of discharging a firearm at a nonresidential structure, both class three felonies; and four counts of aggravated assault, all class three felonies.

After being asked by the defendant's lawyer to lower Gonzales's bond to $100,000, Justice of the Peace Greg Stewart declined the request and set the bond at the amount recommended by state prosecutors, which was $250,000.

Stewart said he felt the amount was justified after reviewing the felony complaint and the details of the probable cause statement.

The Yuma Police Department responded to a report of shots fired at Circle K, 820 W. 32nd St., at 2 a.m. Saturday, July 2.

According to YPD, Gonzales fired several rounds into the air before firing additional rounds toward a Cadillac SUV that had pulled into the Circle K parking lot next to the Nissan Altima Gonzales was driving.

YPD spokesman Clint Norred said that an argument between the members of the vehicles had ensued, but the focus of it is still unknown.

Jesus Alfonso Garcia, 34, also a resident of Yuma and a passenger in the Cadillac, was shot twice, according to YPD. Two other passengers in the Cadillac were identified as Griselda Himenez and Sherman James.

Garcia was shot in the wrist and pelvic area, and was taken to Yuma Regional Medical Center by the group in his vehicle.

Two of the aggravated assault charges filed against Gonzales were for the alleged assault and serious injuries of Garcia, in addition to the alleged assault against the two other passengers, according to the complaint.

According to YPD, Gonzales fled the scene but was later identified and arrested Saturday afternoon in the 1700 block of 45th Drive.

Gonzales was initially booked into the Yuma County Detention Facility on suspicion of aggravated assault, endangerment and being a prohibited possessor of a firearm.

Stewart set Gonzales's preliminary court date hearing for Wednesday, July 13, at 4 p.m.

The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with information about the shooting to contact Detective Dan Sizemore at (928) 373-4700 or 78 Crime to remain anonymous.

Sarah Womer can be reached at swomer@yumasun.com or 539-6858.