The incident was first reported by San Francisco Fire Department officials on Twitter around 12:25 p.m.
Police and fire officials initially evacuated the plaza and asked people to avoid the area. Police say the armed man called police just before noon and was threatening to use it.
Code 4. Suspect surrendered peacefully without further incident. Good work Crisis Negotiators & everyone out at the scene. pic.twitter.com/n7UvLeXfj0
— Officer Manfredi (@OfficerManfredi) September 25, 2016
"This person has a semi-automatic handgun. He has threatened to use the gun on officers and on himself," said San Francisco police officer Carlos Manfredi.
SWAT Team units and police negotiators are on scene trying to convince the man to surrender.
"Right now our negotiators are trying to establish a dialogue with man find out what's going on and try to end this peacefully," Manfredi said.
The armed man has been talking to police.
"He's using words that he may want to end his life or take out other people and we don't want that to happen," Manfredi said.
Hundreds of people live inside the evacuation zone, not knowing when they might be allowed to go home. Police say they are in no hurry to end the standoff and it could continue for several hours.
SFPD has evacuated all of Civic Center plaza @ city hall. Standoff w/ man, possibly armed continues.#abc7now pic.twitter.com/0cDTjEJv8b
— Cbarnard (@CornellBarnard) September 24, 2016
SFPD talking to this man, believed to be armed in Civic Center Plaza. Standoff continues...Area has been evacuated.. #abc7now pic.twitter.com/7sQOMiz4IV
— Cbarnard (@CornellBarnard) September 24, 2016
Police standoff with poss. armed suspect happening in SF Civic Center Plaza. Pedestrians, motorists being evacuated from area.#abc7now pic.twitter.com/hoxU6ftJHR
— Cbarnard (@CornellBarnard) September 24, 2016
#BREAKING Poss. armed man in SF Civic Center. SFPD evacuating people from City Hall to UN Plaza. #abc7now pic.twitter.com/2QLGvsjyms
— Cbarnard (@CornellBarnard) September 24, 2016
#UPDATE: #SFPD says #SWAT team has arrived at Civic Center as standoff continues with possibly armed gunman. https://t.co/GxMwd16dXC
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) September 24, 2016