SWAT Standoff in Spring Valley
October 17, 2023 - San Diego County Sheriff’s Department officials report that a man is behind bars for assault with a deadly weapon and other charges after sparking a five-hour standoff in Spring Valley.
It happened on Monday, October 16 around 11:00 a.m. at a motel in the 9600 block of Campo Road. Deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station were called to the scene after getting a report of a stabbing. They spoke with the victim who stated he was stabbed in the hand with a 10-inch knife by a roommate. The victim and a friend were reportedly threatened with a gun and held against their will by the suspect for two hours.
Eventually, the men were able to escape the motel room and call 9-1-1. The stabbing victim was taken to the hospital and is expected to be okay.
Deputies quickly established a perimeter around the motel. Despite multiple phone calls and announcements from deputies for the suspect, identified as Roger Bell (DOB 01/27/1985), to exit his room, he refused.
Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station Deputies called for assistance from the Chula Vista Police Department's SWAT team, as well as the Sheriff's Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT). Out of an abundance of caution, deputies had other guests at the motel stay in their rooms during the incident. Campo Road was closed at Hollyhock Lane, Rogers Road and Kenwood Drive, as was the State Route 94 on-ramp from Kenwood Drive.
It was just after 4:00 p.m. that Bell came out of his room and peacefully surrendered to deputies and police officers. All road closures were lifted a short time later.
A search warrant was obtained by Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station Investigators. They found three handguns, as well as numerous parts and tools to build AR-15 rifles.
Bell was arrested and booked on numerous charges, including assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment.
The San Diego County Sheriff's Department and Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station would like to thank the public and media for their cooperation. We would also like to thank the Sheriff's Crisis Negotiations Team and the Chula Vista Police Department for helping us reach a peaceful resolution in this incident.
Source & photos: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
