SF officer fatally shoots man in altercation, police say

The San Francisco Examiner reports that Police Chief Gregory Suhr said that two sergeants were flagged down by a construction worker who said a man was throwing bottles at construction equipment.

The shooting occurred at 12:06 p.m. near Eighth and Market streets, about a block from United Nations Plaza. The unidentified man, described by Suhr as in his late 20s, died at the scene. The man allegedly became hostile toward the worker, however, and challenged him to call police.

Suhr said after the officers got out and approached the man, there was a violent struggle between the suspect and one of the officers, with the suspect at one point on top of the officer.

His partner then fired two shots, striking the suspect.

Witnesses at the scene said shortly after the shooting occurred, an ambulance arrived at the scene and took off immediately. Both sergeants were treated at a local hospital for facial injuries.

Construction workers building an apartment structure on Eighth and Market streets could be seen staring down at what appeared to be a body covered in a blanket.

The shooting will be investigated by police internal affairs and homicide investigators, as well as the Medical Examiner’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Citizens’ Complaints, police said.

Market Street was closed to traffic between 7th and 9th streets after 12 p.m. The gates at Civic Center Muni Station were reportedly locked. MUNI buses and streetcars were being rerouted around the crime scene, according to transit officials.