UPDATE: Auto Burglary Investigation in San Francisco's SoMa Leads to Officer-Involved Shooting; 1 Injured
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- An officer-involved shooting at the scene of a suspected auto burglary investigation in San Francisco Friday afternoon left a suspect injured, authorities said.
The shooting happened in the area of Varney Place near 3rd St. in the city's South of Market district at around 12:48 p.m., San Francisco police reported.
The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management asked residents to avoid the South Park area, two blocks north of Oracle Park, and consider alternative routes as emergency crews remain at the scene.
⚠️ OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING ⚠️
— San Francisco Police (@SFPD) May 7, 2021
At approx. 12:48PM an OIS occurred at Varney Pl near 3rd St. Media staging area is in front of 363 Brannan St. Media should park on 2nd or 3rd and walk in.
Updates will be provided as they become available. Anticipate delays in the area. pic.twitter.com/R3zHWdOVLU
San Francisco police later announced that the shooting took place as officers from the Central Station were investigating an auto-burglary suspect in the area.
SFPD Officer Robert Rueca said that police saw a known auto-burglary suspect vehicle that was occupied by three suspects on Varney Place when the officer-involved shooting took place.
Rueca said that one suspect was struck by gunfire as the other two suspects fled the scene in the suspect vehicle. Officers immediately rendered medical aid to the suspect and called medics to the scene.
The suspect was then transported to an area hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Police did not provide information regarding how many shots were fired by officers or how many officers were involved in the incident.
The officer-involved shooting is being investigated by multiple agencies including the SFPD internal affairs division and investigative services division, the San Francisco District Attorney's Office and an independent investigation bureau.
Police said additional information will be released regarding the incident as it becomes available. In accordance with SFPD's commitment to transparency and accountability, a town hall meeting regarding the officer-involved shooting will be held within ten days.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the SFPD 24 Hour Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text-A-Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. Tipsters may remain anonymous.