South Lake Tahoe man dies from "negligent discharge of a 9mm handgun," roommate arrested on gun charges

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) has released information about Friday night's shooting at a residence in the 700 block of James Avenue.

On September 23 at approximately 6:06 p.m., South Lake Tahoe Dispatch received a 911 call about a single gunshot inside a residence and a possible victim of a gunshot wound. SLTPD patrol officers responded and found a 37-year-old man inside the home with a single gunshot wound to the head.

SLTPD, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, and Cal Tahoe JPA immediately rendered aid and transported Cruz to Barton Hospital. The South Lake Tahoe man succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

SLTPD detectives responded, and over the course of the investigation, they determined the fatal injury was "self-inflicted as a result of a negligent discharge of a 9mm handgun."

During the execution of a search warrant at the home, an AR-15 rifle and various ammunition were found in the bedroom of the victim’s roommate, Noe Corea, 35, of South Lake Tahoe. Further investigation revealed Corea is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. Corea was arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Corea is currently in the El Dorado County Jail on a bail hold of $85,000.