A man shot and killed by police officers near San Francisco International Airport's BART station on Thursday morning had been armed with a pellet gun, a source told KCBS Radio on Thursday night.
Officials had previously said the suspect was armed with two handguns. The source told KCBS Radio he was armed with a pellet gun that discharges with compressed air.
The source said the man's pellet gun had no safety marking, with no color on the barrel to differentiate it from a handgun.
When asked for comment earlier Thursday night on multiple reports that the man was armed with replica handguns, California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office confirmed to KCBS Radio in an email the matter has been referred to the state's Department of Justice, as is procedure under Assembly Bill 1506. The legislation – passed in 2020 – requires "a state prosecutor to investigate incidents of an officer-involved shooting resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian."
Bonta's office later confirmed their independent review of the incident. Under the bill, however, the man would be considered armed with a deadly weapon.
The bill's definition of a deadly weapon includes "any loaded weapon from which a shot, readily capable of producing death or other serious physical injury, may be discharged." A memo distributed to law enforcement last year listed all BB and pellet guns, "even if unloaded or inoperable," as deadly weapons.
The incident is being investigated by the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office, San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, SFPD Internal Affairs Division (IAD), San Francisco Department of Police Accountability (DPA) and San Mateo County Coroner's Office, according to a statement SFPD provided KCBS Radio with on Friday morning.
According to a report provided to KCBS Radio by airport officials earlier Thursday, San Francisco police arrived at the entrance to the airport's BART station at about 7:30 a.m., responding to reports of an armed individual.
At the scene, officers determined that the individual "appeared to be armed with a handgun," according to Friday's SFPD statement.
Despite efforts by authorities to de-escalate the situation, the suspect continued to present "threatening behavior," according to authorities.
Officers also shot beanbag projectiles at the man.
They ultimately shot the suspect, who despite medical intervention and CPR, succumbed to those injuries, SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel told KCBS Radio shortly after the incident took place.
The BART station is located in the airport's International Terminal.
Another person at the scene who is experiencing homelessness was also treated for a minor leg injury due to a possible ricocheted bullet.
They are currently being treated at a hospital.
While the station was closed, airport shuttle buses were transporting passengers between the Millbrae and SFO airport stations.
The station reopened just before 8:45 a.m. as the incident was contained.
No flights were impacted.
The San Francisco Police Department said it would hold a public town hall within 10 days of the shooting.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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