Police Fatally Shoot Driver Who Crashed into Chinese Consulate in San Francisco
In a dramatic incident, police in San Francisco have fatally shot the driver of a vehicle that crashed into the Chinese consulate in the city. The shocking event unfolded on a Monday afternoon, around 3 pm local time.
The car forcefully entered the lobby of the building’s visa office, causing immediate concern for the safety of consulate staff and visitors, according to the Chinese diplomatic post in San Francisco.
Images of the scene depict officers swiftly surrounding a blue Honda, while people were evacuated from the building. The impact left “serious damage” to the consulate’s facilities and the building itself.
San Francisco police sergeant Kathryn Winters reported that officers entered the building, engaged with the suspect, and resorted to opening fire. Tragically, the suspect later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. The exact number of individuals present inside the visa office at the time remains uncertain.
The Chinese consulate responded promptly, strongly condemning this violent attack and reserving the right to pursue responsibility for the incident. Fortunately, no other injuries have been reported.
While an “active and open” investigation is currently underway, the police have acknowledged that they possess limited information to share about the incident at this time. As a result of the incident, the consulate building will temporarily close, further emphasizing the gravity of the situation.