In a shocking incident in San Francisco, California, a man driving a Honda sedan was fatally shot by local police after he crashed his vehicle into the lobby of the Chinese consulate on Monday. The driver, who remains unidentified, was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The incident, which occurred in the afternoon, led to a tense standoff between the driver and the police. The man, reportedly covered in blood, was removed from the scene on a stretcher and transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The circumstances leading to the crash and subsequent shooting remain unclear, with authorities stating that the investigation is complex and ongoing.
According to the San Francisco Police Department, officers were dispatched to the scene after the vehicle rammed into the visa office of the consulate. The officers made contact with the driver inside the building before the fatal shooting took place. The motive behind the driver’s actions is yet to be determined.
The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China issued a statement following the incident, describing the driver’s actions as a “violent attack” that posed a “serious threat” to the life and safety of the consulate staff. The consulate also reported damage to its facilities.
In their statement, the consulate condemned the attack and reserved the right to pursue responsibility for the incident, expressing diplomatic discontent with the U.S. The area around the visa office was cordoned off following the incident, with local authorities advising the public to avoid the area.