After a fatal officer involved shooting that has spawned online accusations of police brutality, SFPD has announced a press conference and community meeting to discuss the incident.
According to SFPD, an officer fatally shot a man after he allegedly slashed a coworker with a box cutter at TCHO New American Chocolate factory at Pier 17.
Police Chief Greg Suhr said from the available evidence, the officer’s actions were within policy.
Suhr said that at about 10:15 a.m., the 30-year-old Cambodian man, a temporary employee at TCHO, slashed his coworker in an apparently unprovoked attack and “cut him pretty bad.”
The victim suffered defensive wounds as he raised his arm to block the attack, Suhr said.
The attacker, identified by SF Weekly as 32-year-old Pralith Pralouarng of Oakland, then fled south on the Embarcadero, and the victim chased him, leaving a trail of blood as he ran, Suhr said.
Police responded and tried to stop Pralouarng but he would not comply with their demands, Suhr said.
At Washington and Davis streets, Pralouarng allegedly lunged at a female officer with the box cutter and she fired two shots at him, Suhr said.
Pralouarng went down and landed on his stomach, and officers handcuffed him–but when they turned him over and saw that he had been shot in the torso, they removed the cuffs, according to Suhr.
Pralouarng was treated at the scene then transported to San Francisco General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The slashing victim’s wounds are not considered life-threatening, Suhr said.
The officer who fired the shots has been placed on paid administrative leave as is protocol with officer-involved shootings.
A woman answering the phone at the chocolate company declined to comment on the incident.
Shortly after the incident, SFist first reported on a set of videos quoting two people on the scene who alleged that the police officer shot Pralouarng while he was in handcuffs.
Appeal commenter “outlaw66613” says
“I think you might need to do better journalism MULTIPLE witness’s report that the man was shot WHILE he was handcuffed not before. Yeah lets ask the police the same people that were laughing at the camera man asking if they shot a man in while he was handcuffed. Try asking witness’s in the area too next time or do a little more research on the internet first, here I’ll do you a favor here is one of many copies of the video on the internet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl-lrAYlO0k&feature=g-all-u“
It’s worth noting, however, that neither of the men in the video who make these allegations identify themselves as eyewitnesses to the actual shooting.
The SFPD community meeting is scheduled for Friday, July 20 at 10:30 AM in the Bay Side One Room of Pier #1, located on The Embarcadero near Washington Street in San Francisco
According to SFPD: “Parking will be available on Washington Street, between The Embarcadero and Drumm Street. Parking meters will be posted with “No Stopping” signs and attendees may park in those spaces during the Town Hall Meeting.”
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