Since October 2022, the San Francisco police have been involved in the fatal shooting of seven individuals, as reported by Mission Local, which has been tracking these incidents.
The data reveals notable patterns, particularly regarding the demographics of those affected. Young men of color, many of whom have histories of mental illness, feature prominently in these tragic events.
Since the implementation of a new use-of-force policy by the San Francisco Police Department in January 2022, a marked increase in the use of less-lethal ammunition prior to fatal shootings has been observed. Officers were over eight times more likely to employ less-lethal options between October 2022 and now compared to the preceding 22-year period from 2000 to October 2022.
To date, approximately 65 individuals have lost their lives due to police shootings in San Francisco since the year 2000.
Mission Local’s interactive resource allows users to explore the stories behind each incident by filtering them through various criteria, including the victim’s name, neighborhood, or date of the shooting. With an influx of information from police reports, district attorney accounts, media articles, and witness statements, the circumstances of each event are as varied as they are tragic.
The demographic data regarding the victims shows that at least 12 percent of those killed were homeless, a stark contrast to the less than one percent representation of homeless individuals in the city’s total population. This statistic indicates that homeless individuals are disproportionately affected by police violence, shot and killed at a rate at least twelve times higher than the general population.
Mental health issues emerge as a critical factor in many of these cases, as at least 32 percent of those shot by police were reported to have a mental illness history. This percentage may even underrepresent the issue, given that a larger number of individuals exhibited erratic behavior or expressed suicidal intentions at the time of the incidents. Comparative analyses from KQED and the San Francisco Chronicle have highlighted that mental illness was a contributing factor in as many as 58 to 60 percent of shootings.
In terms of gender representation, the data reveals a concerning trend: of the victims shot since 2000, a staggering 62 were men while only three were women. Additionally, a significant majority of the victims were under the age of 30 and predominantly Black or Latinx. While Black residents comprise around 5 percent of San Francisco’s population, they account for 30 percent of fatal police shootings. Latinx individuals, who make up 16 percent of the city’s populace, represent 22 percent of such fatalities.
The issue of unidentified or unclaimed victims is troubling, as out of the total cases, 25 individuals remain without photographs. In four instances, the deceased’s remains were not collected by family members, resulting in cremation by the city.
While police shootings often result in fatalities, officers themselves have also faced life-threatening situations during these encounters. In the past, there have been instances of injuries and fatalities among officers, including the tragic death of officer Bryan Tuvera in 2006.
The profile of those shot by police often includes individuals wielding weapons. Data shows that in over a third of these cases, the victims were armed with firearms. Conversely, at least five individuals involved were unarmed, and eight had no weapon besides their vehicles, complicating the interpretation of their actions as threats or attempts at escape.
A significant policy developed by the San Francisco Police Commission in December 2016 prohibits officers from firing at moving vehicles unless there is an immediate threat posed by the occupants. This policy tweak aims to mitigate risk and prevent unnecessary casualties.
Despite recent changes in use-of-force policy, San Francisco police officers continue to rely on less-lethal ammunition as a method of intervention before administering fatal force. Factors contributing to fatalities have seen less-lethal ammunition used in at least eight instances since October 2022, with its application taking place at an elevated rate in comparison to the historical average of the preceding decades.
The legal ramifications of police shootings have also come to the forefront in San Francisco, with at least 15 lawsuits filed against the city by the families of victims. Since 2000, the city has amassed over $7.6 million in civil liabilities and out-of-court settlements, with further amounts allocated to individuals injured during police encounters.
In a notable case, two officers, Kenneth Cha and Chris Samayoa, faced homicide charges in 2021, which were subsequently dismissed by the District Attorney in 2023. Notably, no police officer has been successfully convicted of homicide while on duty in San Francisco’s history.
The dataset utilized for this analysis draws on a wide range of sources, including police reports and records from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. It encompasses incidents primarily involving the San Francisco Police Department, as well as cases from the Sheriff’s Office and other local police jurisdictions.
It is important to underscore that the dataset does not cover individuals who were killed in custody or who died from non-shooting-related causes. However, the inclusion of Sean Moore—who died three years post-shooting due to complications—is indicative of the long-term impact of such encounters.
For corrections, additional information, or contributions, community members are encouraged to contact Mission Local.
This ongoing investigation aims to provide transparency and accountability regarding police shootings and their societal implications in San Francisco.
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