Nine-hour standoff ends peacefully




San Antonio Police Department S.W.A.T. arrives on scene at Pleasanton City Hall on Sept. 9 where a female suspect armed with a handgun was sitting inside the council chambers. REBECCA PESQUEDA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

San Antonio Police Department S.W.A.T. arrives on scene at Pleasanton City Hall on Sept. 9 where a female suspect armed with a handgun was sitting inside the council chambers. REBECCA PESQUEDA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

After nine hours of negotiations, a standoff involving an armed woman at Pleasanton City Hall on Sept. 9 was resolved peacefully by police officers.

According to Pleasanton Police Chief Ronald Sanchez, at approximately 12:30 p.m. last Thursday, a female suspect armed with a handgun entered Pleasanton City Hall, stripped out of her clothes and sat inside the council chambers. City Hall closes from 12:30-1:30 p.m. for lunch, so no city employees were injured or in any harm during the entirety of the standoff.

Responding to the scene were Pleasanton Police Department, Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office, Texas DPS, Pleasanton Fire Department, Atascosa County Fire Marshal’s Office, Atascosa County EMS, San Antonio Police Department Hostage Negotiation Team/S.W.A.T. and EMS and the Texas Rangers.

“The coordination of many departments and outside agencies was impressive,” said Pleasanton Mayor Clinton Powell. “I would also like to applaud the outstanding job done by the Pleasanton Police Department leadership, the officers and the telecommunication officers.”

Pleasanton Police Department officers enter through a back door of Pleasanton City Hall on Sept. 9 during the nine-hour standoff. REBECCA PESQUEDA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

Pleasanton Police Department officers enter through a back door of Pleasanton City Hall on Sept. 9 during the nine-hour standoff. REBECCA PESQUEDA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

At 9:20 p.m., Chief Sanchez reported the standoff was resolved peacefully and the suspect, identified as Lorraine Gonzales of Pleasanton, was transferred to University Hospital where she will receive the proper medical care.

“It was impressive to see the support we have available at a moment’s notice. The end result of the effort was that every one involved was safe,” said Mayor Powell.

Gonzales, an ex-corrections officer for 14 years at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, spoke at the Aug. 5 Pleasanton City Council meeting about the rise of domestic violence in Atascosa County since 2014. Gonzales recounted a personal experience on July 30, 2019 that involved domestic abuse.

Pleasanton PD has not released any further information at this time, including the motive behind Gonzales’ actions.

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