On November 26, 2016, at approximately 2:30 a.m., 25-year-old Gilbert Aaron Rocha, a Hispanic male, was fatally shot in San Antonio, Texas. Rocha and his friends had departed from Fast Eddie's Billiards near Highway 281 and Bitters Road, traveling in a blue Ford Explorer. Rocha occupied the front passenger seat as they proceeded westbound on Huebner Road after exiting Loop 1604. During their journey, an encounter with another vehicle escalated into a road rage incident.
A passenger from the other vehicle discharged multiple gunshots at the Explorer, striking both Rocha and the driver. Rocha succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Authorities believe that at least two suspects were involved in this fatal encounter.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the driver, despite being injured, managed to continue driving until reaching the 11600 block of Huebner Road. There, efforts were made to transfer Rocha to another vehicle to expedite his transport to a hospital. However, upon arrival, officers found Rocha deceased in the parking lot. The surviving victims were unable to provide detailed descriptions of the suspects. Notably, the ammunition used in the offense was identified as being fired from a .17 HMR Hornady rifle, an uncommon weapon choice, which investigators hoped might lead to more specific leads.
Despite ongoing investigations, the case remains unsolved. San Antonio police and Crime Stoppers have repeatedly sought the public's assistance in identifying the individuals responsible for Rocha's death. A reward of up to $5,000 has been offered for information leading to an arrest. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 210-224-STOP, texting "Tip 127 plus your tip" to CRIMES , or using the P3 Tips app.
In the years following the incident, Rocha's family and friends have continued to honor his memory and seek justice. Vigils have been held, and appeals have been made to the community to come forward with any information that could assist in solving the case. Authorities remain hopeful that someone with knowledge of the incident will provide the crucial information needed to bring closure to Rocha's loved ones.
