A quiet stretch of Big Oak Road in Placerville turned into a homicide scene Tuesday after El Dorado County deputies responded to reports of a man waving a gun inside a home. When deputies went in, they found 56‑year‑old Shelley Snyder dead from what authorities described as a suspected gunshot wound. A 57‑year‑old man at the house was detained and later booked into the El Dorado County Jail on a first‑degree murder charge, according to the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff’s Office: From Gun Call To Homicide Investigation
In a detailed update on the case, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office said deputies were dispatched Tuesday to the 1400 block of Big Oak Road after a report of a man brandishing a firearm. Inside the residence, they found Snyder dead and opened a homicide investigation. Deputies detained 57‑year‑old Geoffrey Snyder at the scene and booked him into the county jail on a murder charge. Local reports indicate he is being held without bail while the case moves forward.
School District Mourns Veteran Third‑Grade Teacher
The Buckeye Union School District confirmed that Snyder was a third‑grade teacher at Buckeye Elementary and described her death as a “profound” loss for the school community, according to KCRA. The district’s staff directory lists Shelley Snyder among Buckeye Elementary’s teachers (Buckeye Union staff directory). District officials said counseling and support services will be available to staff, students, and families who need them, according to Folsom Times.
Charges And Legal Context
Local outlets report that 57‑year‑old Geoffrey Snyder has been booked into the El Dorado County Jail and is being held without bail on a first‑degree murder charge, according to KOLO. First‑degree murder is defined under California Penal Code Section 187; the full statute is available via California Legislative Information. Investigators have not released a possible motive or any additional details, and the case remains active.
What Investigators Are Asking From The Public
Anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. Non‑emergency phone numbers and media contacts are listed on the agency’s website (El Dorado County Sheriff's Office). Officials say more information will be released as the investigation moves forward. The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office is expected to review the case and decide whether to file formal charges.
