Julio Rojas Cruz, 37, of South Lake Tahoe died on September 23, 2022, from a gunshot wound to the head inside his James Avenue residence. Emergency responders from South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue and Cal Tahoe JPA took him to Barton Memorial Hospital, where he later died. The South Lake Tahoe Police Department determined the wound was self-inflicted and the death accidental, from the negligent discharge of a 9 mm handgun.

Investigators also found an AR-15 rifle and ammunition in the bedroom of Cruz’s roommate, 35-year-old Noe Corea, who is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms. Corea was arrested and booked into the El Dorado County Jail on a felon-in-possession charge with bail set at $85,000. Beyond the ruling of accidental discharge and the weapons found in the home, questions remain about how the handgun was accessed and the events leading up to the fatal discharge.

If anyone knew Julio, his living situation, or has information about what happened that night, please come forward.