Man convicted of attempted murder after shooting in Meyers

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - On March 7, 2018 after a two week trial, a South Lake Tahoe jury convicted Ignacio Madrigal Arizaga of Galt, California of Attempted Murder; Shooting at an Occupied Vehicle; Illegal Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and, Illegal Possession of Ammo by a Convicted Felon.

He faces 41 years to life in state prison when he is sentenced on April 2, 2018.

At 9:19 p.m. on July 30, 2015, a Toyota Prius was traveling eastbound near the intersection of Highway 89 and Highway 50. Arizaga was traveling in the same direction when he made a sudden u-turn and opened fire with a semi-automatic handgun.

One of the rounds fired penetrated the driver's side door and lodged in the back of a seat occupied by one victim, missing her by mere inches. The defendant continued to pursue the victim's vehicle, chasing them at a high rate of speed until they were able to escape by pulling into a well-lit gas station where they called 911. The intended victims, a school teacher and a research scientist from the Bay Area, had no prior connection with the defendant.

Arizuga initially escaped the area but, at 10:53 p.m., Washoe County Sheriff Deputy C. Courtney was filling his vehicle with gas at the substation in Incline Village when he was approached by a vehicle matching the description. Ignacio Madrigal-Arizaga got out of the car and told the deputy he thought he killed someone in South Lake Tahoe.

In Arizaga's car deputies him in possession of the firearm used in the Attempted Murder, as well as an assault rifle, high capacity magazines, two additional firearms and a Kevlar vest.

The case was investigated by the California Highway Patrol, Washoe County Sheriff's Department, El Dorado County Sheriff's Department, and El Dorado County District Attorney Investigator Bryan Kuhlmann. Deputy District Attorney Miles Perry prosecuted the case on behalf of the People, and the trial was presided over by Judge Suzanne Kingsbury.