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SFPD outlines investigation into July BART officer-involved shooting; lab and toxicology results pending
Summary
Commander Beal told the Police Commission the July 3 BART officer-involved shooting at Civic Center involved an intoxicated man (identified as Charles Blair Hill, 45) who allegedly threw a bottle, drew a knife and advanced; one officer fired, killing the subject. Investigators have interviewed dozens of witnesses and await lab, firearms and toxicology reports before submitting the case to the district attorney.
Commander Beal briefed the San Francisco Police Commission on the status of the July 3 officer-involved shooting at Civic Center BART station.
Beal said two BART operators initially reported an intoxicated man on the platform. Officers confronted the subject, who reportedly ignored verbal commands, threw a large bottle and drew a knife. Beal said one officer, fearing for his safety, fired a single round that stopped the threat and killed the subject. A second large knife was recovered on the victims person, Beal said.
Commander Beal said investigators have identified 30 witnesses: 14 were interviewed in person, five by telephone, one provided a written statement while returning to Ireland, six were interviewed by BART Police (who did not see the shooting but heard the shots) and four had not responded to contact attempts. Outstanding investigative steps included DNA analysis of the knives, a firearms-operability report from the crime lab and toxicology and coroner reports; Beal said he expected some lab results within a few days and that the full case file would be compiled and submitted to the district attorney's office for review of whether the shooting was proper.
Commissioners asked how SFPD and BART coordinate such investigations. Beal replied that SFPD historically leads officer-involved-shooting investigations occurring within San Francisco city limits and that BART investigators "piggyback" on interviews and are given access to evidence and reports. Beal said the DA's office decides whether conduct was proper and that public release of findings typically follows that review and coordination with the DA's public-relations staff.
The Commission did not receive a timeline for public release beyond the lab and medical examiner steps Beal outlined; Beal said SFPD would coordinate any public disclosure with the DA when the investigation is complete.
