Disclaimer: This article contains information about a criminal act and may be distressing for some readers. Please read at your own discretion.
San Francisco police have released videos showing the fatal shooting of Alexander Antonio Lopez. Lopez, 28, was shot by police in the Tenderloin area last week.
The videos reveal that Lopez fired at officers while running away before he was shot.
The footage, which includes surveillance and officer-worn camera videos, was shown at a mandatory town hall meeting after the shooting.
In the video, Lopez can be seen twisting around and aiming a shot at Officer Paul Balza on Willow Street.
Balza, who was responding to a call about a stolen scooter, stopped running and fired three shots at Lopez. The third shot hit Lopez in the torso, causing him to collapse.
As Lopez fell, his gun fell out of reach. Lopez, still alive, waved his arms. Balza and his partner took cover behind a parked car, joined by other officers.
They ordered Lopez to keep his arms out and not reach for the gun, threatening to shoot if he did.
Officers approached Lopez with shields, keeping their guns aimed at him. He did not resist and lay on his stomach with his arms outstretched.
A woman nearby, possibly Lopez’s girlfriend, called for medical support, stating the situation was unnecessary.
After detaining Lopez, police provided medical care and took him to a hospital, where he later died. Police reported that Lopez’s gun misfired, as a bullet was jammed in the chamber.
A photo of the gun taken at the scene confirmed this.
The incident began with a 911 call reporting a stolen black-and-red scooter.
The caller, through a Spanish translator, described the thief as a white man with a gray pistol. Police spotted Lopez, who matched the description, near the plaza.
According to the source, Balza got out of the car and chased Lopez down Willow Street, yelling for him to stop.
During the virtual town hall, the San Francisco Police Department presented audio and video of the shooting.
The incident, which occurred on July 21, was the second police shooting in San Francisco in 2024, and the first fatal one. Captain Jason Sawyer praised the officers for their bravery under extreme circumstances.
Chief Bill Scott noted that multiple city agencies are investigating the shooting, including the District Attorney’s Office, the SFPD’s Investigative Services Division and Internal Affairs Division, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and the Department of Police Accountability.
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Viewers of the town hall were encouraged to voice their concerns at monthly community meetings hosted by each police station.
Acting Captain Daniel Manning of Tenderloin Police Station assured that community feedback would be considered.
The town hall concluded without any public comments from the 211 viewers.