South Lake Tahoe jury finds local man guilty of attempted murder

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Ariel Mendoza Arce was found guilty of attempted murder by a South Lake Tahoe jury on June 26, 2019.

On August 13, 2018 at 2:40 a.m., four nurses from Reno staying in a hotel in the Heavenly Village area heard a woman screaming for help. When the nurses went to investigate the screams they witnessed Arce viciously attacking a woman by punching her, kicking her, and stomping on her head.

"In an act of heroism, the nurses surrounded the victim, attempting to protect her and to prevent Mendoza Arce from further harming the woman," said the El Dorado District Attorney's Office.

When police arrived on the scene, Mendoza Arce ran away but was apprehended a short time later.

The victim, who was 23-years-old at the time, was a friend of Arce's.

Arce, 21, was found guilty of attempted murder for his brutal attack with special findings of premeditation and deliberation, as well as inflicting great bodily injury to the victim.

Judgment and sentencing are scheduled for July 22. The case was investigated by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department and prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Casey Mandrell.

- South Tahoe Now Staff Report