SFPD Releases Video from OIS of Man Armed with Scissors Rushing Toward Officer

The San Francisco Police Department released body-worn camera video of the officer-involved shooting of a man armed with scissors, and making stabbing motions, while he advanced on an officer earlier this month.

Commander Jack Hart narrated a virtual town hall presentation that included audio of 911 calls and BWC video of the shooting.

Prowler Call

San Francisco police received a 911 call reporting a prowler on Sept. 4. As officers responded to the area, multiple callers contacted the California Highway Patrol and reported a man walking on U.S. Route 101.

Surveillance Video

Surveillance video shows the man matching the suspect’s description leaving the area of the prowler call, climbing over a chain-link fence, and heading toward U.S. Route 101. That video shows the man with the edged weapon.

Three Calls to CHP

One motorist called the California Highway Patrol and told the dispatcher he saw a man drop down off a retaining wall and cross the freeway. Another caller reported seeing a man walking in the middle of the freeway, crossing traffic in the same area reported by the first caller. The second caller reported that the man was wearing black pants, a black hoodie, and a mask.

A third caller reported seeing a man in the middle of the freeway carrying scissors.

Officers Arrive on Freeway

SFPD officers responding to the prowler call joined a deputy sheriff who was already out with the man, walking on the edge of the freeway, not far from the report of the prowler.

The man was walking on the shoulder of the freeway, and the SFPD officer who made contact tried to convince him to move away from traffic.

“The officers were attempting to help him get to safety off the freeway,” said Capt. Gerald Newbeck, the commanding officer of SFPD’s Ingleside Station, during the video town hall briefing.

While doing so, the man started walking toward the officer, raising the scissors to head level.

“The subject made several downward stabbing motions with the edged weapon as he charged at the officer, while surrounded by freeway traffic both to his front and side,” explained Hart. “Officer number one quickly retreated from the armed subject. Officer number one turned back toward the subject, and the subject continued advancing toward him with the edged weapon in hand.”

Repeated verbal commands were given, instructing the man to drop the weapon, but he did not comply.

The video shows the man making stabbing motions as he continues toward the officer.

As he continued advancing on the officer with the raised edged weapon, the other SFPD officer fired a single shot, striking the man in the upper body.

Officers immediately rendered aid and applied a chest seal to the wounded man. He was transported by EMS to an area hospital for further treatment.