Two people shot, fires reported during Giants victory celebrations

Bay City News
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Giants fans celebrate World Series win at Civic Center
Dozens of fans were still in the Civic Center celebrating the Giants World Series win even after the vieiwng party ended.

SAN FRANCISCO -- A gunshot victim walked into San Francisco General Hospital Wednesday evening during celebrations of the San Francisco Giants' World Series victory in what appears to be the second confirmed shooting Wednesday evening, according to police.

The victim, who is expected to survive his injuries, said he was shot in the Mission District.

A previous shooting was reported at 21st and Valencia earlier in the evening as well. That victim was injured in the arm and is also expected to survive.

Police also reported one person was stabbed, but there was no word on that person's condition.

City streets in areas including Market Street and the Mission District were taken over by large crowds celebrating the San Francisco Giants' World Series victory against the Kansas City Royals.

VIDEO: Fans shut down streets near AT&T Park after Giants win World Series

The widespread rowdy celebrations also caused most bus service to be suspended in San Francisco throughout the city and blocked traffic on streets including Market and Mission streets, according to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority.

Muni metro service is continuing both in the subway and on the surface, as are all shuttle buses supporting metro service, Muni officials said. Owl service will also run as scheduled.

Some of those in the crowds on Mission Street were attending with their families.

"I gotta get up early for work tomorrow but it doesn't matter....we don't know when its going to happen again," said Kenny Johansen, 51, Pacifica, who brought his family to check out the post-game festivities in the Mission.

"I skipped my homework for this." said Kasidy Johansen, 14, his daughter.

PHOTOS: SF Giants fans show off playoff pride!

Police reported a number of bonfires and firecrackers including a large fire at 22nd and Mission and large crowds have been seen climbing on top of buses in some areas.

VIDEO: Crowds get rowdy as celebrations continue in Mission District

San Francisco residents Sarah Williamson, 29, and 24-year-old Chloe Carpenter took in the view near the 24th/Mission BART station a short time before 10 p.m., which included people dancing on top of cars, a number of people climbing on street signs and others setting off fireworks.

Both said this year's festivities seemed slightly tamer than the celebrations that occurred in the Mission District after the Giants' last two World Series wins.

"It's clean fun," said Williamson. "It's like the anti-apocalypse where people are nice to each other and high-fiving."

There have been reports of less friendly crowds, however, with bottles being thrown at officers in some instances. Multiple San Francisco police officers were injured while attempting to disperse crowds and extinguish bonfires during celebrations of the San Francisco Giants' World Series victory Wednesday evening.

Officers were assaulted with bottles on Market Street in the Mission District, while others in the Southern district were stuck with bottles, firecrackers, and M80s, according to police spokesman Gordon Shyy.

The objects were thrown at officers as they attempted to disperse crowds gathered in the streets while also assisting firefighters as they extinguished bonfires, Shyy said.

Multiple officers suffered minor injuries, while one officer was taken to San Francisco General Hospital for treatment.

No suspect information is currently available, according to police.

Some arrests were made but police have not released numbers.

PHOTOS: Celebrations turn rowdy after Giants win the World Series

The Giants defeated the Royals 3-2 in Kansas City, with Madison Bumgarner throwing five shutout innings after two stellar starts earlier in the World Series.

Both teams scored twice in the second inning and Michael Morse hit a broken-bat RBI single in the fourth to score Pablo Sandoval with what proved to be the winning run. Sandoval reached base all four times in the game.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee announced Wednesday evening that the city will hold a victory parade for the Giants on Friday.

Lee congratulated the Giants for their third World Series win in five years.

"...This world-class organization brought our city together as only our hometown heroes can," Lee said in a statement.

"San Francisco waits with giant anticipation for the return of our hometown team so we can celebrate as one city with a parade down Market Street to welcome them home," he said.

The parade is scheduled to start at noon at Market and Steuart Streets and continue down Market Street to Civic Center Plaza.

The team's World Series-clinching wins in 2010 and 2012 also came on the road.

For full coverage of the San Francisco Giants in the World Series, click here.