SFPD Officer and Suspect Shot During Investigation of Suspicious Vehicle 17-165(b)

On November 1, 2017 at approximately 12:03 AM, uniformed SFPD officers assigned to the Castro neighborhood foot beat on Halloween night were flagged down by a citizen regarding a suspicious vehicle in the area of 18th and Diamond Streets.

Officers approached the vehicle to investigate further. There was an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and at least one officer.

One officer- a 41 year-old male, nine-year veteran assigned to the Crime Scene Investigation Unit- was transported to a hospital suffering from gunshot wounds. The officer underwent surgery and is listed as critical, but stable.

An adult male suspect was also transported to the hospital for gunshot wounds. He is listed in life-threatening condition.

On the evening of Friday, November 3, 2017 Sesar Valadez, male, 32, of Hayward was booked in absentia on the following charges: attempted murder (two counts), felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm with obliterated serial numbers, driving a stolen vehicle, discharging a firearm in a negligent manner, carrying a loaded firearm in public and resisting arrest. A booking photo is not available as the suspect was booked in absentia at the hospital.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation being conducted by the San Francisco Police Department Homicide Detail, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, the Department of Police Accountability and the SFPD Internal Affairs Division.

Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to call the SFPD Tip Line at 415-575-4444, or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available. As part of our commitment towards transparency and accountability, a town hall meeting regarding this incident will be held within ten days.