Hours-long standoff in South Lake Tahoe after Saturday morning stabbing

OUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A South Lake Tahoe man was arrested Saturday afternoon after allegedly stabbing another local man earlier in the day. At 11:15 a.m., officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) responded to the hospital after a man arrived with multiple stab wounds.

The suspect was identified as David Valenzuela, 43, and within 20-30 minutes of the initial call, patrol officers arrived at the suspect's house on Lapham Drive in South Lake Tahoe. Officers attempted to make contact with Valenzuela at his residence where he refused to cooperate and come out of his residence to surrender to the police.

Due to the violent nature of this incident, Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) and CNT (crisis negotiators) were called to the scene. Also on Lapham Drive were the California Highway Patrol, El Dorado County Sheriff, and South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue.

A warrant for Valenzuela’s arrest and a search warrant for his residence was issued. Despite the negotiators' countless attempts to get the suspect to surrender peacefully, he refused to exit. Ultimately, tear gas was deployed, and Valenzuela exited the residence and was taken into custody without further incident at 4:30 p.m.

SLTPD detectives are still working on details of the case and it remains under investigation.

The victim is currently stable at the Barton after undergoing surgery.