San Francisco Police Gun Down Man With Toy Gun
San Francisco police gunned down a man who challenged them with what turned out to be nothing more than a pellet gun, in the Mission District station parking lot. The unidentified 32-year-old white male was “acting strangely” prior to threatening the law enforcement officers, according to witnesses. Earlier the same day the man wielding a pellet gun had reportedly asked officers traversing the parking lot, about their shooting history and their duty weapons.
California police are still unsure of the motive behind the man who waved the toy gun at police. The San Francisco officers shot the unnamed man multiple times, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police officer Albie Esparza told the media that the white male was noticed in the Mission District station house parking lot around 5:20 p.m. “We don’t know his motive or why he challenged the officers or approached them in the first place. It was very erratic behavior by the suspect, very unusual,” Esparza added.
Man draws gun and is shot by @SFPD outside @SFPDMission Station, per @SFPDChiefSuhr. w/@kristenvbrown http://t.co/XNlnJbinpy via @SFGate
— Henry K. Lee (@henryklee) January 5, 2015
The man gunned down by the San Francisco police began to leave after being confronted by three law enforcement officers, according to ABC News. But, be turned before walking all the way to the parking lot entrance and challenged the police officers. According to police statements, the white male moved his hands to his waistband and revealed what appeared to the men to be the butt of a gun. “The sergeants saw the butt of the weapon as he pulls it out and brandishes it at the sergeants,” Esparza said.
San Francisco police spokesperson says man shot in officer-involved shooting outside Mission District police station has died – @KTVU
— Breaking News (@BreakingNews) January 5, 2015
Two of the San Francisco police sergeants opened fire on the man, approximately seven shots were fired – it is currently unclear how many of the shots hit the California man. After the shooting police officials were able to determine that the weapon was merely an airsoft gun, or pellet gun. The pellet shot from the toy do hurt, but are not lethal. “The officers didn’t really interact with him. They were busy on a call and he was sort of loitering around,” Esperza concluded.
What do you think about the San Francisco shooting? Why did the man with the airsoft gun challenge police?
[Image via: Airsoft CO2 Gas Guns]
