SFPD officer shot, wounded in Taraval District, suspect in custody

SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - A San Francisco police officer was shot in the city's Taraval District Friday night, according to SFPD.

Sources tell KTVU that the injured officer is named Kevin Downs.

SFPD held a press conference today, saying that the officer remains in critical condition after suffering a shot to the head. According to SFPD police Chief Toney Chaplin, the officer underwent surgery to remove fragmentes from his brain.

Chief Chaplin added that if the bullet had hit the officer 1 cm further down, it could have been a fatal shooting.

Chief Chaplin says the officer is a strong community member and "fantastic officer".

Police said on social media that an officer was injured in the vicinity of Sloat Boulevard and Everglade Drive. The officer was taken to SF General Hospital. 

A suspect was contained and was taken into custody by SWAT after police said they deployed non-lethal flash bangs. They were then taken to SF General Hospital.  

Martin Halloran, president of the San Francisco Peace Officers Association, asked the public to keep the injured officer in their prayers in a statement issued Friday night.

"When he was shot, the officer was responding to a call related to a mentally disturbed individual," Halloran said. "I cannot provide any more detail or make any comment related to the officer's medical condition at this time, but we are praying that he survives."

Mayor Ed Lee also made the following statement: "Last night I received one of those calls that as a mayor you never want to receive. The phone call that tells you a police officer has been shot in the line of duty. The officer was injured while pursuing an armed suspect who posed a threat to the larger community. Each day, the members of San Francisco Police Department face uncertainty and danger with the purpose of protecting our city and its residents. I want to thank the officers and all the members of the public safety community that responded to the incident last night. My thoughts remain with the officer and his family.”  

Police initially responded to the call at Lakeshore Plaza on Sloat Blvd. Police say the suspect fired upon officers as they approached. 

Major police activity was reported at 28th and Vicente near a playground around 9:15 p.m. Police had asked the public to avoid the area and issued a shelter-in-place for those already there. 

Mayor Ed Lee headed to SF General where he briefly spoke to the media. He said he was grateful for the police department and that the injured officer was in good spirits with family by his side. 

Further details about the shooting and the officer's current condition were not immediately available.