Law enforcement investigating shots fired; Pioneer Trail shut down

UPDATE 5:15PM: Pioneer Trail is back open after multiple agencies responded to the sounds of gunshots near Temple Bat Yam.

At 11:09 a.m. March 18, South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) dispatch received two simultaneous calls for the same general area, one for the shots fired and another for the activation of a burglar alarm. Since they were so close in proximity, police officers responded as they could be related calls according SLTPD Officer Matt Morrison.

The alarm came from a home on Elva Court. Upon arrival, officers found Dylan Pettigrew, 42, in the home. The suspect ran and Morrison and his K9 Quatro took off after him through waist-deep snow. Officer John Spaeth was waiting for them at the end of the field and took Pettigrew into custody.

At this time, officers hear what they though were gunshots again, coming from the area of the Temple. SLTPD was joined by California Highway Patrol (CHP), El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) and South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) and they set up a perimeter around the area.

The SLTPD MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) was brought to the scene to provide protection for the responders as they went into neighborhoods investigating the sound of shots. CHP Helicopter provided air surveillance as well.

The incident is still under investigation but at this time Morrison says it appears occupants of a vacation rental on Pioneer Trail were setting off illegal fireworks. The group left the home about the same time as the last of the "shots" were heard. There was evidence at the home of fireworks.

Pettigrew has been booked into the El Dorado County Jail on several charges: Burglary First Degree, Possession of Heroin and Methamphetamine, Resisting, Violation of Probation and an outstanding warrant. His bail is currently set at $58,000.

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Pioneer Trail is shut down at this time from Ski Run Boulevard to Al Tahoe Boulevard as South Lake Tahoe police officers and other law enforcement personnel investigate large caliber shots being fired early Sunday afternoon.

South Lake Tahoe Police Officer Matt Morrison and another officer were in the area of Pioneer Trail and Needle Peak Road on a burglary in progress call and in foot pursuit of the suspect when they heard the sound of large caliber gun shots. As the suspect was being apprehended, a full response of law enforcement arrived in the area to investigate the gunshots.

Several area residents also called into the police dispatch, hearing the same gunshots.

As of 1:15 p.m., a California Highway Patrol helicopter is circling above the area, assisting officers on the ground.

This is a developing story.