San Francisco police say a newly released video shows an armed suspect pointing a gun at officers.
Katie Nielsen reports on the virtual town hall held by the SFPD on a deadly officer-involved shooting of an armed suspect earlier in July.
On Wednesday, San Francisco police released additional surveillance and body camera footage related to an officer-involved shooting that occurred ten days ago, resulting in the death of an armed suspect.
The incident took place just before midnight on Sunday, July 21, on Willow Street in the Tenderloin District.
The day after the shooting, CBS News Bay Area obtained video from a neighbor who claimed it appeared the suspect was running away from officers and was shot in the back.
Police presented the new video during a town hall meeting focused on the shooting. State law requires authorities to release video within 10 days of a fatal officer-involved shooting.
The newly released footage provided a different perspective of the events that night.
“Stop! Stop!” an officer shouted at the suspect moments before firing multiple shots.
This moment was captured on the body-worn camera of Officer Paul Balza, who shot and killed the armed robbery suspect, 28-year-old Alexander Antonio Lopez.
According to police, late Sunday night, July 21, a man reported being robbed at gunpoint of his electric scooter near UN Plaza. Within 30 minutes, officers spotted Lopez, who matched the suspect’s description.
When officers attempted to stop Lopez for questioning, he fled.
Edited and enhanced surveillance video from the SFPD allegedly shows Lopez turning back toward the officers, pointing a gun at them, and firing a shot. Lopez continued running down Willow Street as an officer pursued him.
The video then shows Lopez raising the gun and pointing it at the officers again. At this point, Officer Balza stopped, drew his gun, and shot Lopez.
“A shot to prevent the officer from being injured or killed, but also a shot to protect society,” said Don Cameron, a police academy trainer for nearly 50 years who trained officers on the use of deadly force. He stated that, given the suspect’s actions, the officer was justified in using deadly force.
“The suspect is not aiming. He’s shooting back in the general direction of the officers, but there are other people in the area,” Cameron added.
During the virtual town hall, SFPD also displayed pictures of the gun Lopez was allegedly carrying and the cartridge from the round he fired at officers.
The San Francisco District Attorney’s office is reviewing the case to determine whether the shooting was justified and if any charges will be filed against the officer.