Protesters confront SFPD over fatal officer-involved shooting

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A town hall meeting hosted by San Francisco police Chief Greg Suhr Monday evening to give residents an opportunity to discuss the fatal shooting of a Guatemalan man by police officers in the city's Mission District on Thursday night turned tense as community members repeatedly accused police of using excessive force while patrolling the neighborhood.

Mission District neighbors demanded answers about the fatal police shooting of 21-year-old Amilcar Perez-Lopez last week on 24th and Folsom streets.

"We can't expect these murdering police to stop when they are killing us," said one man during the meeting.

"I don't see the shooters on this board, what I see a PR team trying to cover up for the death of innocent man," said a woman person during the meeting.

San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr said Lopez tried to rob a bicyclist with a large knife when responding officers told him to drop the knife.

"At which point, the suspect lunged at the officers with knife overhead. He fired 5 shots, the original responding officer fired one," Suhr said.

Many question the use of deadly force. Co-workers of Lopez say he immigrated from Guatemala for a better life.

"It's just a shame somebody so young with so many dreams left us so early," co-worker Fernando Quinonez said.

The Answer Coalition claims it was the bicyclist who tried to steal Lopez's cell phone.

"That cell phone has still not been seen by any witnesses," Bill Simpich, of the Answer Coaltion, said.

Suhr says there's no evidence of that. The bicyclist said during a phone interview, police saved his life.

Many are calling for an independent investigation of the shooting.

Bay City News contributed to this report.