SFPD officer fatally shoots man suspected of killing elderly woman, dog in Richmond District
SAN FRANCISCO – A San Francisco Police officer fatally shot a man suspected of killing an elderly woman and dog inside a Richmond District home early Thursday morning, police said.
Shortly after 2:30 a.m., police were called to a home on the 700 block of 31st Avenue on reports of an aggravated assault in progress. An officer arrived and found an 84-year-old man in the doorway, who said that the suspect assaulted a 76-year-old woman inside the home.
"During the interaction, the 37-year-old suspect, armed with a knife, advanced towards the officer and the victim from inside the home, and an officer-involved shooting occurred," Officer Eve Laokwansathitaya of the San Francisco Police Department said.
Police said additional officers arrived and began to render aid to the suspect. Additional medical personnel were called to the scene.
Officers then entered the home and found the woman had died. A dog was also found dead inside the home.
Police said the suspect was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The 84-year-old man was treated at a hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
Names of the suspect and female victim were not released.
Police confirmed that the suspect was related to both individuals; however, they have not disclosed the specific nature of their relationship.
Additional details about the incident were not immediately available.
Gina Riccio, a longtime resident of the area, still finds it hard to comprehend what took place early Thursday morning.
"I thought it was fireworks, and then I heard bang, bang, bang, bang, and I was like... that's not fireworks," Riccio told KPIX.
"I've been here for 41 years, and this is something... oh, I'm shaken because this is nerve-wracking. You hear about all the shootings around, and for it to happen in our neighborhood? It's just scary," she went on to say.
Police said Thursday that the incident is being investigated by multiple entities, including the District Attorney's Office, the department's Investigated Services Division and Internal Affairs Division, the city's Department of Police Accountability and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
"This is a tragic incident, and together we mourn the loss of life. When one household is hurt, our entire community is impacted. My heart and thoughts are with the family," said Supervisor Connie Chan, who represents the Richmond District. "We are expecting more details of the incident to be released to the public as the investigation continues to unfold."
Police will also hold a meeting with the public about the shooting.
"As part of SFPD's commitment to transparency and accountability, a town hall meeting regarding this officer-involved shooting will be held within ten days," police said.
José Martínez contributed to this report.
