Harris responds to killing of San Francisco police officer

By Ari Burack, Bay City News Service

December 23, 2006, 11:24 a.m

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - A statement released by the San Francisco district attorney's office this morning named the San Francisco police officer shot and killed in the Sunset District Friday night as Officer Bryan Tuvera.

The shooting, during which an unidentified felony suspect was also killed, occurred after police followed the suspect into the garage of an occupied home in the 1600 block of 25th Avenue, according to San Francisco police Sgt. Steve Mannina.

"My heart goes out to the family, friends and loved ones of San Francisco Police Officer Bryan Tuvera,'' the statement from District Attorney Kamala Harris said.

"This officer was a brave and courageous man who was protecting the innocent. I offer my deepest condolences to every member of the San Francisco Police Department,'' Harris said.

According to Mannina, after leading police up to the home, the suspect kicked down a side door to the home's garage and ran inside. When officers in pursuit followed the suspect through the broken down door, the suspect opened fire on the officers, hitting one officer in the head.

"It looks as though the suspect had a pretty good lead on the officers,'' Mannina said. "The suspect then turned and fired on the officers as they entered the garage.''

Another officer then shot the suspect, who collapsed a short distance away, Mannina said.

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mannina described the interior of the garage as having a large dividing wall between carports, as well as a separate exit headed to a backyard.

Residents of the home were reportedly upstairs at the time of the shooting, but were not involved in the incident, Mannina said.

Police had initially attempted to detain the suspect, who Mannina described as "a wanted suspect who had an outstanding felony warrant,'' after having seen him walking on 25th Avenue earlier in the evening. The suspect fled from police at that point into a backyard in the area, at which point officers set up a perimeter to begin a search.

It was after the perimeter had been set up that a group of officers saw the suspect a short distance away and began the foot pursuit that would lead to the fatal shooting, Mannina said.

Tuvera, a four-and-a-half-year veteran of the department, was transported to San Francisco General Hospital where he was kept on life support until 12:01 a.m. today, authorities said.

Police continue to investigate the shooting this morning.

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