San Antonio Standoff Ends After Nearly Seven Hours, Suspect Charged with Deadly Weapon Assault
A tense, nearly seven-hour standoff on San Antonio’s west side concluded peacefully this weekend with the surrender of a 52-year-old man who police say barricaded himself inside his home after allegedly threatening his roommate with a firearm.
The incident, which saw a heavy police presence and led to an extended neighborhood alert, began on a Saturday afternoon after police were called to a disturbance involving a weapon near Cincinnati Avenue. The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) confirmed that 52-year-old Bobby Bernabie Rocha was taken into custody on Sunday morning following the extended negotiation.
According to an arrest affidavit, the altercation that sparked the dramatic standoff stemmed from a dispute over pets. Rocha’s roommate reportedly told police that he had accidentally let the suspect’s dog and cat out of the house. When the roommate returned without the animals, Rocha allegedly became enraged, pointing a gun at the victim.
What followed was an alarming threat that highlighted the severity of the situation. The roommate reported that Rocha threatened to “chop him into pieces, and feed him to the cat.” The victim, who had known Rocha since childhood, managed to gather his belongings, call 911, and leave the location unharmed.
With Rocha barricaded inside, police immediately set up a perimeter and called in the department’s specialized teams. The scene quickly shifted from a simple domestic disturbance to a high-stakes standoff requiring the presence of both SWAT and the Crisis Negotiation Team.
San Antonio police typically employ a strategy of patience and de-escalation in these scenarios. Their Crisis Negotiation Team works alongside tactical units with the goal of preserving life. This approach involves using techniques known as “active listening skills,” allowing the barricaded subject to express themselves while building a rapport over time.
The hours-long effort proved successful. After almost seven hours, officials confirmed that Rocha had surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident. No officers or bystanders were injured during the extended operation, underscoring the effectiveness of the department’s negotiation protocols.
Rocha was subsequently charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and obstruction or retaliation. He is currently being held on bond at the Bexar County Jail. This incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly domestic issues can escalate into dangerous, multi-hour encounters that require significant resources and careful de-escalation by law enforcement.