SPRING VALLEY SWAT STANDOFF ENDS IN ARREST: SUSPECT HELD TWO MEN AT GUNPOINT

Weapons seized included handguns and parts to make AR-15 rifles

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery

Updated 10 p.m. with additional details from the Sheriff's department

October 16, 2023 (Spring Valley) – Roger Bell, 38, a suspect who prompted a  five-hour SWAT team standoff in the Casa de Oro area of Spring Valley, is under arrest. 

The incident began shortly after 11 a.m. when the Rancho San Diego and Lemon Grove Sheriff’s substations responded to a call reporting a stabbing in the 9600 block of Campo Road.  They spoke with the victim, who said he was stabbed in the hand with a 10-inch knife by his roommate. 

"The victim and a friend were reportedly threatened with a gun and held against theirwill by the suspect for two hours," saysDetective Guadalupe Catano. 

Eventually, the men were able to escape the motel room and called 911.   The stabbing victim was taken to a hospital for injuries to his hand and is expected to recover.

Deputies established a perimeter around the motel.  Despite multiple phone callsand announcements from deputies, the suspect refused to come out of the rom.  Rancho San DIego Sheriff's Station deputies calledfor hlep from the Chula Vista SWAT team, and the The Sheriff’s Crisis Negotiation Team  was called in.

Deputies had other guests stay in their motel rooms and shut down Campo Road at Hollyhock Lane,Rogers Road and Kenowood Drive, as well as the State Route 94 on-ramp from Kenwood Drive.

Shortly after 4 p.m.,  Bell came out of the room and surrendered peacefully to deputies and police officers.  All road closures were lifted.

A search warrant was issued and Sheriff's investigators 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 Sheriff's department thanks the public and media for their cooperation, and also thanks the Sheriff'sCrisis Negotiations Team and Cula Vista Police for helping reach a peaceful resolution to this incident.