SFPD arrests 3 suspects in June gun battle on Embarcadero; 1 had won $190K in 2021 city suit

Thursday, October 19, 2023
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco police announced on Thursday they have made multiple arrests in the gun battle on Embarcadero that took place on Father's day, where several bystanders had to take cover and a 10-year-old was struck by one of the suspect's vehicle.

"People were screaming that there was a shooting outside," said Daniel Alonso, Hard Rock Cafe manager.

The sounds and images are still fresh for workers at Pier 39 and 14 where many hid as bullets rang out.

VIDEO: Heart-stopping dashcam video shows car-to-car gun battle near San Francisco's Pier 39
Heart-stopping video shows car-to-car gun battle near SF's Pier 39


"It was scary because you didn't know if they got caught, you didn't know if they were still here - what was going on," said Heather Buman, Perry's employee.

Dashcam video captured the moment a white vehicle struck 10-year-old girl and a black SUV hit a 16-year-old. Both survived. On Thursday, San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott announced a breakthrough in this case.

"We have done a tremendous amount of work and investigation to find those responsible for that horrific incident that terrorized people across our city. Shocked this city," said SFPD Chief Bill Scott, "We have arrested the people responsible."

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On that night, SFPD detained the two suspects from the black SUV, both shot during the incident. One of them was treated for life-threatening injuries and later released pending investigation. On Wednesday exactly for months since the shooting, three suspects from the white vehicle were arrested.

"Richard Tuiasosopo, Xavier Pittman and a male juvenile. Arrest warrants were issued for all these three individuals," said Robert O'Sullivan, Deputy Chief Investigations Bureau, "Richard Tuiasosopo was already in custody at the time of this arrest. Both Xavier Pittman and juvenile were arrested yesterday morning."

During the investigation, officers seized four assault style rifles and 13 handguns at six different locations. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins confirms at least one of the suspects is known to SFPD.

"We have been able to file charges against one of the individuals already. That is Mr. Xavier Pittman. We have filed charges for conspiracy and for two counts of auto burglary," said Jenkins.

VIDEO: Former SF mayor pushes for assault weapons ban in wake of shootout
Former SF mayor pushes for assault weapons ban in wake of shootout


Turns out, Pittman won $190,000 in a settlement with the city after he was shot and injured by an undercover officer in 2021. Back then, Chief Scott apologized for the incident: "I'm deeply sorry Mr. Pitman was shot."

We asked San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott if all of the suspects involved in the shooting have been arrested. He said the investigation is still ongoing.

Pittman is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday. Prosecutors said they will ask that he be detained without bail pending his trial.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the San Francisco police tip line at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.

Bay City News contributed to this report.

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