By Hamed Aleaziz
San Francisco Chronicle
SAN FRANCISCO — A San Francisco police officer shot by a quiet neighborhood shopping center near the zoo was in critical condition Saturday but conscious and speaking with his family, authorities said.
The officer, who was not identified, is expected to survive Friday night’s shooting.
The incident began at 8:15 p.m. Friday when San Francisco police arrived at Lakeshore Shopping Center after receiving a call of a man threatening people. After making contact with him on Everglade Drive, the man turned and fired multiple shots, hitting one officer in the head, police said. He then fled toward Stern Grove, according to a San Francisco Police Department statement.
Authorities immediately told residents in the neighborhood to stay in their homes, and they blocked streets near the scene of the shooting.
Officers had surrounded Stern Grove when the man came out of bushes at 28th Avenue and Vicente Street and tried to run. According to a police statement of events, “several officers chased the suspect and became involved in an officer involved shooting. The suspect fell to the ground.” The statement adds that the man kept a gun near his chest and refused to surrender.
UPDATE: Sources tell @jvanderbeken that SFPD officer shot last night is Kevin Downs. Chief Downs having media avail at 11am. @nbcbayarea pic.twitter.com/QN2JM9ELTz
— John Zuchelli (@tvzuke) October 15, 2016
At that point, officers deployed flash bangs and were able to distract the suspect, who was not identified, and take him into custody. He was transported to San Francisco General Hospital for treatment of his injuries, police said.
“Our thoughts are with our injured officer and his family,” said Toney Chaplin, interim chief of the San Francisco Police Department. “Our officers each day put their lives at risk to protect and serve San Francisco and we are grateful for the outpouring of support we saw Friday evening from San Franciscans who were concerned for the officer’s well-being.”
Mayor Ed Lee visited the injured officer at the hospital late Friday.
“I had a chance to thank him and meet his family. I’m very grateful,” Lee said.
#sfpd still has #SternGrove and Parkside Square closed as of 955 am pic.twitter.com/l9VDAQZlcc
— Jim Stinnett (@jimstinnett) October 15, 2016
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