YOUR AD HERE »

South Lake Tahoe police ID suspect in drive-by shooting

Jack Barnwell
jbarnwell@tahoedailytribune.com
Samuel Tovar
Courtesy / El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office |

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — On Tuesday, Oct. 20, South Lake Tahoe police officers hoped to arrest a suspect from an Oct. 14 drive-by shooting.

Officers surrounded a mobile home at around 3:30 p.m. across from the skate park on Eloise Avenue near the “Y.” El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office provided support, according to Lt. Brian Williams of South Lake Tahoe Police Department.

Williams said no arrest was made during the search.



South Lake Tahoe business owner Dale Rise witnessed the Tuesday search. His business is located near the neighborhood.

“There were a lot of officers out with guns drawn and it was clear they were looking for someone,” Rise said.



South Lake Tahoe Police Department and the El Dorado County District Attorney released the identity of the suspect on Tuesday as Samuel Tovar.

Police alleged that Tovar, 32, shot a 19-year-old South Lake Tahoe man in the leg on Oct. 14 near Ski Run Boulevard. The victim went to Barton Memorial Hospital for treatment, where medical staff contacted the police department.

Tovar is described as a 5-foot-7-inches Hispanic male weighing 160 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. According to the El Dorado County DA’s Office, Tovar may also use the names “Primo” and/or “David Angeles.”

“We have every credible reason that this is the person we are looking for,” Williams said.

Williams said police are asking for the public’s help in locating Tovar. Anyone with information should contact South Lake Tahoe Police Department at 530-542-6100 or the Lake Tahoe Secret Witness line at 530-541-6800.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.