Topline
San Francisco Police shot and killed a man on Monday after he rammed his car into the Chinese consulate in the city, prompting Beijing’s diplomatic officials to condemn the attack.
Key Facts
The incident took place at around 3 p.m. local time when a man driving a blue Honda sedan rammed into the lobby of the building.
San Francisco Police arrived at the scene within minutes and made contact with the driver inside the consulate building before shooting him, San Francisco Police spokesperson Sgt. Kathryn Winters said.
The suspect, whose identity has not been revealed, later died at a local hospital.
Videos of the aftermath shared by witnesses on social media showed the vehicle lodged into the lobby of the consulate’s visa office as people rushed to exit the building.
A witness, who was applying for a visa when the incident took place, told the San Francisco Standard that after crashing the car, the driver emerged from the vehicle shouting “Where’s the CCP?”
There are no reports of any other injuries from the incident.
Crucial Quote
Commenting on the incident, a spokesperson for the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco said: “An unidentified person drove a vehicle and violently crashed into the document hall of our consulate, posing a serious threat to the safety of staff and people on site, and damaging the facilities of our consulate. Our embassy severely condemns this violent attack.” The statement also demanded the “truth” about the attack be “quickly ascertained and dealt with seriously in accordance with the law.”
What To Watch For
The identity of the suspect and any potential motivations behind the attack have not been revealed. The police spokesperson said they are working with the U.S. Department of State and the Chinese consulate on the “very complex investigation.” The incident comes just a month before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco which the Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend. The White House is reportedly working to arrange a face-to-face meeting between President Joe Biden and Xi and Washington and Beijing attempt to deescalate tensions between the two countries.
Further Reading
Car Crashes Into Chinese Consulate in San Francisco; Police Fatally Shoot Driver (San Francisco Standard)
Car rams into Chinese Consulate in San Francisco and police fatally shoot driver, officers say (Associated Press)
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