On December 18, 2016, shortly before 3:00 p.m. Tucson Police Department officers responded to an urgent request for assistance from the Tucson Fire Department (TFD) in the 300 block of E. Roger Rd. Upon arrival, officers located TFD personnel inside the residence restraining, 40-year-old Humberto Rocha-Ortiz.
The officers took over and placed Rocha-Ortiz in handcuffs.
Rocha-Ortiz was then transported to Banner University Medical Center for evaluation. Two TFD personnel were also transported to Banner University Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries and were subsequently released.
Officers learned TFD responded to the residence reference a medical call. When they arrived on scene, Rocha-Ortiz was on the ground and unresponsive. As they attempted to treat Rocha-Ortiz, he stood up and began to fight with them. During the course of the fight, one of the TFD personnel was bit by Rocha-Ortiz. They attempted to exit the residence when Rocha-Ortiz produced a knife and charged at them. Rocha-Ortiz slipped and fell and lost control of the knife allowing them to restrain him until police arrival.
On December 24, 2016 Rocha-Ortiz was released from the hospital. He was arrested for Aggravated Assault with Serious Injury – A Class 3 Felony, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon – A Class 3 Felony and Aggravated Assault on a Firefighter (2 Counts) – A Class 6 Felony. Rocha-Ortiz was booked into the Pima County Jail.