San Francisco, Calif. — Twenty-four-year old Alice Brown was fatally shot by San Francisco police after erratically driving on the sidewalk, hitting cars and businesses.
A Town Hall meeting about the incident was shut down by protesters.
On March 17, 2015, two plainclothes Officers were in the area of Van Ness Avenue and Pine Street regarding an investigation of a possible stolen vehicle. The suspect vehicle, a blue four door sedan, was located in a gas station on the northwest corner and was being driven by white female driver in her late 20’s to early 30’s, who was the only occupant.
The plainclothes Officers displayed their department issued stars on their outermost garment and identified themselves as Police Officers as they approached the vehicle on foot, from the Van Ness Avenue driveway.
The suspect put the vehicle into gear and drove towards the Officers. The suspect then made a three-point-turn to exit the gas station, striking the building before turning on to Pine Street. She proceeded to flee the scene westbound on Pine Street as the Officers pursued after the vehicle on foot.
Before reaching Franklin Street, the suspect made another three-point-turn and started driving eastbound on Pine Street, the wrong way on a one-way street. The suspect drove the vehicle onto the south sidewalk towards the Officers a second time, striking a building, parked vehicles and endangering the lives of pedestrians in the area. The suspect then drove the vehicle back on to the roadway and continued to drive in the wrong direction, striking additional vehicles in the process. A motorcyclist was forced to abandon his motorcycle in the street to prevent being hit and injured by the suspect vehicle. The suspect then drove the vehicle back on to the south sidewalk a second time.
The Officers, fearing for their safety and for the safety of other citizens present, discharged their department issued firearms. Preliminary investigation shows at least two rounds were fired at the suspect. The suspect vehicle came to rest on the sidewalk approximately 50 feet west of Van Ness Avenue, where Officers subsequently secured it. The Officers immediately rendered aid to the suspect, however the suspect succumbed to her injuries at the scene. No pedestrians or other vehicle occupants were injured in this incident.
This is an active and on-going investigation, which is being investigated by the SFPD Homicide Detail, the SFPD Internal Affairs Division, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Citizens Complaints.
Photo credit: SFgate
