Mental eval ordered for De Queen man accused of shooting sons

A De Queen man accused of shooting his two sons – one fatally – during an altercation last year will undergo a mental evaluation next month.

According to court records, 66-year-old Armando Arce of De Queen is scheduled for a mental health evaluation in late November to determine if he is fit to proceed in the case. The evaluation was requested by Arce’s attorney and granted by the court earlier this year.

Arce has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder stemming from an incident that occurred the evening of Nov. 8, 2022. Arce’s case will be paused until the mental evaluation is completed.

According to the De Queen Police Department, officers were dispatched the night of Nov. 8 to 223 Bobby Lane on the north side of De Queen in reference to a double shooting. Upon arrival, officers found two men suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Both men were transported for emergency medical treatment. Authorities stated one of the victims died en route to the hospital. The other was released following medical treatment.
Arce developed as a suspect in the case. A manhunt for Arce began that evening and he was apprehended near the residence less than 24 hours later.

Arce was identified as the father of both victims. Arce remains in the Sevier County Jail on a $1,000,000 bond. If convicted, Arce could face up to 40 years or life in prison for the first-degree murder offense.