SAN ANTONIO – A suspect is in custody after gunning down a man in the parking lot of an IHOP, leaving him hospitalized with critical injuries, according to San Antonio police.
Before being taken to the Bexar County Jail Saturday evening, the suspect, Roberto Banda, told reporters he “had no excuse” for his crime and that he would be praying for the victim and his family.
Banda, 31, was arrested on a charge of agg. assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony. As of Sunday, his bond is set at $200,000.
His charge stems from a shooting that occurred around 2 a.m. on Nov. 4 outside of an IHOP restaurant in the 800 block of East Commerce.
Police said initially, an argument unfolded in the parking lot involving Banda and a few other people.
During the argument, someone who was with the victim flashed a gun toward Banda, according to an affidavit. Eventually, everyone went their separate ways and no shots were fired -- Banda left the restaurant and others went back inside.
About an hour later, the situation escalated. Police said Banda returned to the restaurant’s parking lot, where the victim was sitting inside his car, waiting for his wife to finish her shift at IHOP.
Banda pulled up alongside the victim’s vehicle and began firing rounds, striking him multiple times, police said.
According to an affidavit, Banda then drove to a friend’s house and left the scene before officers arrived.
The victim was taken to the hospital with several gunshot wounds to the head. Police said he still has very critical injuries.
Investigators were able to locate Banda and his vehicle at his residence. He was taken into custody without incident.
Banda is being held in the Bexar County Jail.
We’ll bring more updates to this story as they become available.
