SFPD shoot, kill man brandishing fake gun

A 32-year-old man shot by police today in San Francisco has died, police said.

San Francisco police shot the man multiple times in the parking lot of the Mission District police station this evening after he displayed erratic behavior and appeared to challenge the officers with what turned out to be a fake gun, police said.

Around 5:20 p.m., police noticed a man who was inside the police station parking lot, located at Valencia and 17th streets, said Officer Albie Esparza.

Esparza said the parking lot is restricted and is not open to the public.

Three police sergeants approached the man and asked him to leave, Esparza said.

He began to walk away but stopped before reaching the parking lot entrance at Valencia Street and turned to confront the officers.

Still facing the sergeants, Esparza said the man began to back away while also reaching his hands into his waistband, revealing the butt of a gun:

“The sergeants saw the butt of the weapon as he pulls it out and brandishes it at the sergeants.”

Two of the sergeants fired their weapon at the man, striking him multiple times, he said.

He was transported to San Francisco General Hospital, where he underwent surgery, but police said he has since died.

Esparza described the suspect as a 32-year-old white man.

Police discovered later that he was carrying an airsoft gun, which can shoot pellets, but not bullets, Esparza said.

Esparza said the man’s erratic behavior was very unusual:

“We don’t know his motive or why he challenged the officers or approached them in the first place.”

Esparza said the same man tried to interact with officers earlier in the day at 16th and Mission streets.

The man approached two officers, who were responding to a report of domestic violence, and asked them what kind of weapons they carry, what kind of ammunition they use, and if they had been involved in shooting any suspects, Esparza said:

“(The officers) didn’t really interact with him (at the time.) They were busy on a call and he was sort of loitering around.”

Esparza said she does not yet know the suspect’s name.

No police officers were injured, she said.

As of 7 p.m., Valencia Street was closed to all vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic between 17th and 19th streets, police said.

People traveling through the area should seek alternate routes until further notice.

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