A San Francisco police officer and suspected robber were being treated for life-threatening wounds after a pursuit late Sunday night that began in the South of Market area escalated into gunfire in the Bayview District, officials said Monday.
Officers were dispatched to an area off the Bay Bridge just after 10:30 p.m., after being alerted to a robbery suspect vehicle entering the city, officials said. After officers tried to stop the vehicle near Mission and First streets, the driver fled through city streets before the vehicle “became disabled” near the intersection of Bayshore Boulevard and Jerrold Avenue, officials said.
When officers arrived on scene, the driver opened fire on them, striking one multiple times, police said. The driver fled on foot as the passenger was left critically wounded, officials said.
Both the injured officer and the injured suspect were transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.
After officers returned to the scene to search for the other suspect, the individual was found near Bayshore Boulevard and Costa Street and taken into custody. Two guns were also recovered, officials said.
The incident was being investigated by multiple entities, including the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, the police department’s investigative services division and the Department of Police Accountability.
Neither suspect was immediately identified, nor was the officer.
Police officials were expected to hold a public meeting within 10 days to review officer body camera footage of the incident.
Louis Wong, president of the San Francisco Police Officer’s Association, said in a statement Monday morning that the officer was in surgery but was expected to survive.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with this officer, their loved ones, and their fellow officers as they begin what will undoubtedly be a long and difficult recovery,” Wong said.