Assault Charges Dropped Against Roman Pena
The Bexar County District Attorney dismissed four aggravated assault charges following a June shooting incident.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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The Bexar County District Attorney has dismissed four counts of aggravated assault against 35-year-old Roman Pena. The decision followed a June 16 shooting involving Pena and law enforcement near Jones Maltsberger Road and Starcrest Drive.
Why it matters
Prosecutors dropped the assault charges after determining the case did not meet the necessary legal requirements for prosecution. Pena remains in custody on separate charges of burglary and weapon possession.
The District Attorney dismissed four aggravated assault counts, though Roman Pena remains held on $250,000 bail following a September 14 grand jury indictment for burglary and weapon possession.
The players
Roman Pena
He is the 35-year-old suspect who was involved in a shooting with police and subsequently indicted on felony charges.
Adel Mokrane
He is a police officer who sustained a gunshot wound to the leg during the June 16 encounter.
Bexar County District Attorney
This office is responsible for the prosecution of criminal cases in the county and determined that the assault charges against Pena did not meet legal requirements.
San Antonio Police Department
This local agency managed the response to the shooting and has since implemented modifications to their unmarked transport vehicles.
The details
On June 16, officers in an unmarked minivan stopped in front of the vehicle driven by Pena, with the driver firing through the windshield without identifying as law enforcement. Both Officer Adel Mokrane and Pena sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter, leading San Antonio police to later modify the vehicle used.
Timeline
The shooting incident occurred on June 16 at 5 p.m.
A grand jury indicted Pena on September 14 for burglary and weapon possession.
The status of the charges and detention was reported on September 22.
Legal Context
This case marks a departure from the office's recent trend, as the Bexar County District Attorney has secured 175 total years of prison sentences for defendants convicted of threatening police in the past year. Authorities continue to prosecute felony burglary and weapon charges.
The dismissal of these charges does not impact the ongoing legal process for the remaining burglary and weapon possession counts. Residents should remain aware that the case against the suspect is still active in the court system.
The takeaway
Legal proceedings involving police encounters often hinge on specific determinations of whether actions meet the threshold for prosecution. While assault charges were dismissed, the suspect continues to face serious felony charges that carry potential prison sentences of up to 99 years.
Further reading
For more information on local legal procedures, visit the San Antonio Law Enforcement section.
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