Suspect flees after shooting, injuring man at downtown San Francisco parking garage

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San Francisco police responded to a shooting at a city parking garage at 5th and Mission streets in a busy shopping area Wednesday evening. Initial reports indicate one person, an adult male victim, was wounded and transported to the hospital. Police said the victim is in critical, but stable condition. 

Around 6:30 p.m., shoppers reported hearing three or four gunshots and ran into the nearby Bloomingdale’s at the Westfield Centre Mall. Police said the victim was paying for parking at the manned booth inside the pay station, when someone came up from behind and began shooting him several times in the lower part of his body.

The garage was closed to the public for about two hours as police set up a perimeter, sealed off the area, and searched for the suspect. After their search of the garage, police said they did not find the shooter.

"We took all the public outside. We used our tactical units to do a systematic search, floor by floor, to check all the vehicles in the parking garage to make sure that the suspect wasn't still outstanding and on the loose," said Officer Carlos Manfredi. 

Police described the shooter as a young black man in his early 20s, adding that the victim was targeted, that it wasn't a random shooting and that the two may have known each other. 

"It wasn't a person being targeted for no reason," said Officer Manfredi. 

Crime tape, a pile of clothing and a pair of Air Jordan's– all apparently items that belonged to the victim, remained at the scene. At least four bullet casings could also be seen. 

People who had parked in the garage were allowed back to their cars around 8:45 p.m. Muni’s 14 bus line ran in both directions with minor delays and re-routes as police conducted their investigation.

"I want to pick up my car. I want to go home, get ready for Thanksgiving," said Angelo Chavez of Redwood City who worked nearby. 

Though police say the victim was targeted, shoppers told KTVU they're concerned. 

"It's the holiday season [I have] dinner to cook for tomorrow. We need to be thankful and prayerful about this situation," said Gerri Love of Oakland who was shopping in the area. 

One witness said it was a scary scene that there were many people who witnessed the shooting. Others said they were glad no one else was hurt. 

The original posting of this article said the shooting happened just before 6 p.m. It has been revised.