San Francisco homeless center workers accused of harboring man suspected of shooting police officer

Two employees of a navigation center serving San Francisco's homeless population have been arrested for allegedly harboring a man charged in the shooting of a police officer, the department announced Friday.

According to officers, 36-year-old Oliver Barcenas and 45-year-old Erika Porter were booked into San Francisco County Jail on Thursday. Barcenas and Porter worked at the Bayshore Navigation Center at 125 Bayshore Boulevard, near where an officer was shot on the night of May 31.

"Attempting to assist an armed gunman evade capture after shooting a police officer is unconscionable," Chief Derrick Lew said in a statement. "Thankfully, our officers captured this violent suspect despite the efforts by two individuals to help him."

The incident began around 10:30 p.m., when police were alerted about a suspect vehicle entering the city on the Bay Bridge with the help of an automated license plate reader.

Court documents said the vehicle, a 2021 gray Toyota, was believed to have been used in an armed robbery in Hayward. Officers found the Toyota near Fifth and Folsom streets and attempted to stop the vehicle.

The suspect allegedly refused commands from officers and fled northbound on Fremont Street. The pursuit, which reached speeds of up to 60 mph, ended when the car struck a concrete barrier on the Bayshore Boulevard on-ramp to Highway 101.

Following the crash, officers ordered the suspect and a passenger to exit the vehicle. Bodycam footage released by police showed the driver emerging from the vehicle and opening fire on two police officers, striking Officer Brittany Taylor in the leg. Several officers returned fire, striking a passenger in the vehicle.

The passenger, later identified as Ariunsanaaa Dolgorsuren, received medical treatment for his injuries and was arrested.

The suspect, later identified as 36-year-old Norris Reed, left the scene on foot. Officers were called to the navigation center around 12:15 a.m. on June 1 and Reed was arrested.

Police said two firearms were recovered from Reed's waistband at the time of his arrest. Reed has since been charged with attempted murder and other felonies in connection with the shooting.

Officers said Friday that a review of surveillance footage showed Barcenas providing Reed with clothing to conceal his identity despite knowing he was possessing a firearm when entering the center.

Meanwhile, Porter is accused of making false statements to police when officers made an earlier visit to the navigation center while they were searching for the suspect.

Barcenas and Porter are accused of obstruction and harboring an attempted murder suspect. According to officers, Barcenas is on federal probation for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Police said Friday that Taylor has since been released from the hospital and is continuing to recover from her injuries.