Man Shot By SF Police Identified As Gang Member; Chief Defends Action
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— San Francisco Police have identified the man they shot in the city's Mission District last Thursday, triggering two nights of protest. Police Chief Greg Suhr chief defended the department's response at a sparsely attended midday community meeting held at the Cornerstone Church near 17th and Guerrero streets on Monday.
Merchants and others were among those present, frustrated and angry with the unrest after police wounded a man on parole on 14th street.
Suhr identified the shooting victim as 22-year-old Oliver Barcenas of Richmond. Suhr said Barcenas is a recently paroled Norteno gang member and a potential third-strike candidate under California's "three strikes" law.
KCBS' Doug Sovern Reports:
Previous reports said Barcenas had been armed with a TEC-9 assault pistol. Police alleged he was on his way to avenge a gang killing from earlier this month.
One officer was injured during the nighttime vandalism and incidents on Thursday and Friday that are said to have been sparked by Barcenas' shooting.
One fed-up resident at the meeting said it was no wonder police had any idea who the vandals were since there were no arrests. He continued to speak out saying that it was obvious, since they were wearing masks and veils and that police should have grabbed some of them for questioning.
Police have blamed anarchists taking advantage of an officer-involved shooting.
"This is a group of characters if you will that under mask and usually night, just choose to use the mob to act as that to do damage for whatever they might have as an excuse," Suhr said.
A second meeting was planned for 6 p.m. Monday at the Good Samaritan Community Resource Center at 1294 Potrero Ave. Suhr will also attend that meeting.
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