De Queen Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Fatal Shooting of Son

A De Queen man has been sentenced to life in prison after a Sevier County jury found him guilty of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in connection with a 2022 shooting that left one of his sons dead and another injured.

It was reported, Armando Arce, 69, was convicted June 9 following a two-day trial in Sevier County Circuit Court. After deliberating for just over an hour, jurors found Arce guilty and sentenced him to life in prison for the murder conviction and 30 years for attempted murder. The sentences will be served consecutively.

The charges stem from a Nov. 8, 2022, shooting at a residence on Bobby Lane in De Queen. Responding officers found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. One victim, identified as 32-year-old Alexander “Chico” Tom, died while being transported to the hospital. The second victim survived his injuries.

Investigators determined that Arce was the father of both victims.

Court records show the case was delayed while Arce underwent a court-ordered mental evaluation. He was later found competent to stand trial after spending about 10 months in a state hospital.

Arce had pleaded not guilty. The case was prosecuted by Ninth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Jana Bradford and heard before Circuit Judge Bryan Chesshir.