Mariposa deputies arrest attempted murder suspect

Mariposa County sheriff’s deputies arrested a 24-year-old man on attempted murder charges early Friday after he allegedly shot a woman in the back.

A sheriff’s spokeswoman identified the suspect as Nickolas Kjeldergaard, 24, of Mariposa.

On Oct. 31, Kjeldergaard reportedly became angry with the woman and demanded she meet with him, telling her that unless she did he would kill her and her family.

The victim drove to meet with Kjeldergaard at Lush Meadows in Mariposa County, where Kjeldergaard reportedly fired several gunshots into her car. The victim was struck in the back by the gunfire.

The sheriff’s spokeswoman said the victim did not report the shooting immediately for fear of retaliation.

Deputies, assisted by Yosemite National Park police, arrested Kjeldergaard on Friday. His bail was set at $1 million.

While serving a warrant in the arrest, deputies discovered a marijuana operation and arrested Jerrod Lancaster-Ames of North Carolina, the spokeswoman said. His bail was set at $100,000.

This story was originally published November 7, 2014 at 6:23 PM with the headline "Mariposa deputies arrest attempted murder suspect."