Bystander Shot During San Francisco SoMa Dispute
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - An argument between two groups of people led to a shooting that seriously injured a passerby in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood Thursday morning, a police spokesman said.
The shooting occurred at 7:35 a.m. near the intersection of Sixth and Minna streets.
Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from an argument between a group of three Asian males and three black males, police Lt. Troy Dangerfield said.
KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:
One of the people involved, believed to be one of the Asian males, fired a shot that struck an unintended victim, a man in his 40s who was about half a block away, Dangerfield said.
The man was struck in the head near his left ear, and was taken to San Francisco General Hospital to be treated for his injuries, which are considered life-threatening, Dangerfield said.
The shooter may have fled in a vehicle, but police did not have descriptions of the suspect or car as of Thursday morning.
Stevie Garcia, who lives in an apartment near the intersection, said she heard three shots, and when she looked out her window, she saw a police officer wrapping the victim's head with something to stop the bleeding.
Garcia said shootings in the area are fairly common, but not usually at that time of day.
A fight was also reported at the same intersection around 3 a.m. , and police were investigating whether the two incidents are related, Dangerfield said. The victims and witnesses were not cooperating with police officers who responded to the report of the fight, he said.
Garcia said she thought she heard a gunshot during the early morning incident, but police have not been able to confirm that a shot was fired.
The shooting is being investigated by the Police Department's gang task force and officers from the Southern Station.
Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call the Police Department's anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or send a tip by text message to TIP411.
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