San Francisco police officer injured in shootout with robbery suspect

A San Francisco police officer has been hospitalized following a pursuit that ended in a shootout with a robbery suspect late Sunday night.

"Getting a call that an officer has been shot in the line of duty is something that every one of us in the profession prays will never happen. As police officers, we understand the risks that come with our job," Police Chief Derrick Lew said at a briefing Monday morning. "Violence against our officers is unacceptable and will never be tolerated in San Francisco."

According to Lew, the incident began around 10:30 p.m., when police were alerted about a suspect vehicle entering the city on the Bay Bridge with the help of an automated license plate reader. Officers found the vehicle and two occupants near 5th and Folsom streets in the city's South of Market.

Police said they attempted to pull over the vehicle near Mission and 1st streets, but the driver led them on a pursuit. The pursuit ended when the vehicle became disabled near Bayshore Boulevard and Jerrold Avenue, near Highway 101.

When officers approached, police said the driver opened fire, striking one officer "multiple times." Lew said more than one officer returned fire.

After the shootout, police said the driver fled on foot, while the passenger in the vehicle sustained injuries in the shooting. Both the officer and passenger were taken to the hospital for life-threatening injuries.

In an update Monday morning, the San Francisco Police Officers' Association (SFPOA) said the officer was in surgery and is expected to survive.

"While we are grateful for this positive news, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that police officers face every day while protecting the people of San Francisco," the union said in a statement. "Every day, police officers put themselves between danger and the communities they serve, often facing life-threatening situations with little warning."

Lew said at the briefing, "Thankfully, she is expected to survive but still faces a long road to recovery." 

According to the chief, the officer is "extremely popular" in the department and is known for her work ethic. Her identity was not released.

The driver was located by officers near Bayshore Boulevard and Costa Street and was taken into custody without incident. Two firearms were also recovered. 

Police did not release the suspects' names. 

Lew said the robbery took place in the East Bay but did not provide additional details. 

"Every single day, our officers put on a uniform and put themselves in harm's way to keep us safe in the greatest city in the world," said Mayor Daniel Lurie, who also spoke at the briefing. "They have our backs, and as mayor, I have theirs."

Police said the incident is under investigation by multiple agencies, including the District Attorney's Office, the police department's Internal Affairs Division and Investigative Services Division, along with the Department of Police Accountability. A town hall meeting about the shooting will be held within 10 days.

The off-ramp from northbound Highway 101 to Cesar Chavez Street was closed for several hours as authorities investigated. According to the California Highway Patrol, the ramp was reopened as of about 7:20 a.m.