SAN ANTONIO — Authorities say a man is in custody after walking through a south-side property while armed and later pointing a rifle at a police helicopter, sparking a standoff that lasted a few hours.
Police initially responded to the area of Loop 410 and Commercial Avenue around 12:50 p.m. after residents reported their neighbor pacing through their yard while armed with a rifle and handgun, San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) Officer Washington Moscoso said. SAPD deployed its helicopter to get an overhead view of the area.
"The Eagle got up overhead and did see the individual on the ground with the long gun," Moscoso said. "The individual actually pointed his rifle at our helicopter unit, so the helicopter unit had to back off and get far enough away to where it couldn't get hit by a rifle. but started putting information out."
It became an "escalated situation," Moscoso said, and officers along with a SWAT team arrived to the scene along the 600 block of West Villaret to set up a perimeter. Authorities were eventually able to get in contact with the individual, and he surrendered shortly after.
The suspect was identified only as being 30 years old. Police haven't yet said if he's facing any charges.
"It appears this individual may be suffering some kind of mental health related issue, so our mental health unit is on scene [and] they're evaluating the individual before we take him to get the help that he needs," Moscoso added.
The man was the only person found at the home where he was barricaded.
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