Motel shooting suspect released from hospital, booked into jail

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The suspect who fired at police in an early morning standoff on March 19, 2021 has been released from Barton Hospital and is now in the El Dorado County Jail in South Lake Tahoe.

Joseph Hill, a 23-year-old man from Orangevale, Calif., is accused of shooting at officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) who had responded to the 3 Peaks Motel on Park Avenue on a report of a man trying to break into a room.

Officers returned fire, and after an hours-long stand off at the motel, Hill surrendered to police.

Hill was transported to the hospital for treatment of a reported gunshot wound to the hand.

While in the hospital Hill was arraigned in his hospital room on March 22. He has been charged with Assault on Peace Officers with a Semi Auto Firearm and Negligent Discharge of a Firearm into an Occupied Dwelling (Hotel).

He is now being held in the jail in lieu of $4,200,000 bail.

Hill's next court date is on April 19 for a pre-preliminary hearing.

The shooting was subject to Critical Incident Protocol since South Lake Tahoe police were involved in the shooting. The El Dorado County District Attorney's Office, along with Sheriff's Office and Placerville Police aided in the SLTPD investigation.