SAN FRANCISCO — Newly released body-worn camera footage reveals the tense moments on September 4, 2025, when a San Francisco police officer opened fire on a man armed with scissors who was walking on U.S. Highway 101 near Cesar Chavez Street. The incident unfolded in broad daylight, causing a major police response and briefly halting traffic on one of the city’s busiest freeways.
According to the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), officers were in the area around 11:19 a.m. assisting San Francisco Sheriff’s deputies who had been alerted to a man dangerously walking in the northbound lanes of the freeway. Authorities say the man posed a significant hazard to himself and to drivers, prompting a rapid response from multiple agencies.
As officers attempted to communicate with the man, the situation escalated quickly. The man, later identified only as “Serato” pending full investigation, suddenly produced an edged weapon — a pair of scissors — and began to approach officers despite repeated commands to drop the weapon.
In the bodycam footage released by police, officers can be heard shouting:
“Drop it! Drop it! Drop it!” — giving multiple verbal warnings before the man closed the distance.
One officer then discharged his firearm, striking the man. The video captures the officer immediately transitioning from a defensive posture to rendering aid, a reminder of the high-pressure decisions law enforcement officers must make in a split second.
Paramedics were called to the scene within minutes. Officers and first responders worked together to stabilize the man before transporting him to San Francisco General Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition later that afternoon.
No other individuals — neither officers nor motorists — were injured during the incident. The freeway was temporarily closed while investigators documented the scene, causing a brief but significant traffic backup during the late morning commute.
SFPD confirmed that only one officer fired his weapon. As with all officer-involved shootings, the department has launched a multi-agency investigation. The San Francisco Department of Police Accountability, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, and SFPD’s Internal Affairs Division will all review the incident to determine whether department policies and legal standards were followed.
Police emphasized that individuals should never attempt to cross or walk on freeways due to the extreme risk of injury or death, not only to themselves but to drivers who may swerve or brake suddenly to avoid a collision.
This case marks yet another reminder of the dangers officers face when responding to mental health or public safety crises in unpredictable environments. Community advocates have called for a broader conversation about resources and de-escalation tactics, while police officials stressed that the quick actions of officers likely prevented a greater tragedy.
