Suspects being questioned in South Lake Tahoe drive-by shooting

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department is investigating a possible gang related drive-by shooting at the Pioneer Inn Thursday night at 10:00 p.m.

There were no injuries and, as of Friday afternoon, there have been no arrests.

Responding SLTPD officers immediately started looking for the suspect vehicle, described as a dark pick-up truck. While law enforcement searched for the truck, others were at the motel, which is located at 3863 Pioneer Trail, collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses.

Witnesses described that several young Hispanic males occupied the truck, which had driven westbound on Pioneer Trail and stopped in front of the Pioneer Inn parking lot. One or more of the vehicle occupants began shooting into the parking lot area of the motel. The truck then left westbound on Pioneer Trail.

The witnesses all described hearing several rounds discharged from the suspect vehicle, but a specific number has not yet been fully determined.

An investigation is in progress to identify suspect(s) and/or motives for this crime. Witnesses have also told police they believe the crime may be related to gang activity, but this has yet to be confirmed by investigators.

Throughout a very busy night, SLTPD patrol officers continued to search the area for the vehicle and/or suspects. Just before sunrise this morning they located a vehicle parked in the 3600 block of Pioneer Trail which generally matched the suspect vehicle description, and may have been involved in the shooting.

The investigators confirmed the found truck was the vehicle involved in the shooting and were joined by deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office in making contact with the owner of the vehicle at his home.

Detectives have seized this vehicle pending a search warrant. They are currently questioning the people contacted this morning to identify any specific suspect(s) related to the drive by shooting at the Pioneer Inn Motel last night, to determine a possible motive and whether or not this crime may be gang related.

According to SLTPD Lt. Brian Williams, arrests may follow pending completion of the investigation.

If anyone witnessed this crime, or has information relative to this case, please call the South Lake Tahoe Police Department at 530-542-6100, or Lake Tahoe Secret Witness at 530-541-6800.