SF protesters want DA to release investigative file from fatal police shooting

Byby Melanie Woodrow KGO logo

Saturday, April 15, 2017

SF protesters want to see investigative file from fatal police shooting

Protesters gathered on the steps of San Francisco City Hall Friday afternoon to respond to District Attorney George Gascon's announcement there would be no charges against the police officers who shot and killed Amilcar Perez-Lopez.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Protesters gathered on the steps of San Francisco City Hall Friday afternoon to respond to District Attorney George Gascon's announcement there would be no charges against the police officers who shot and killed Amilcar Perez-Lopez in the Mission in 2015. Perez-Lopez was armed with a knife.

"What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now," shouted protesters.

"This isn't a Hall of Justice, it's a house of horrors," said Ben Bac Sierra.

On Wednesday, District Attorney Gascon shared a 3-D animated analysis of the incident. One of the officers reported Perez-Lopez came towards him with a knife.

Officers fired six shots. Five of the six bullets his Perez-Lopez in his back.

"Based on reaction time, Perez-Lopez would have been able to turn 90 to 180 degrees by the time the first bullet hit him," said Gascon on Wednesday during a press conference.

"This report declares that a human body running away is faster than a speeding bullet," said Rebecca Young with the San Francisco Public Defender's Office.

COURT DOCUMENT: Lawsuit filed over SFPD shooting death of Amilcar Perez-Lopez

Gascon says officers, under the law, are justified in using deadly force to protect others -- in this case another man Perez-Lopez was reportedly

arguing with.

The DA is sending the full investigative file to the State Attorney General.

Protesters say they also want to see it. A spokesperson for the DA's Office says it contains investigative techniques and personal identifying information of undocumented immigrants that can not be released publicly.

"There's a way to redact the text so that you're not revealing any inappropriate information," said Father Richard Smith with the Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist.

Protesters also want to meet with Gascon. The spokesperson for his office says Father Smith declined a meeting.

"He needs to talk to more than just me. It's not just me who was re-traumatized by his inadequate report, it's an entire community of people," said Father Smith.