San Francisco leaders called for a 24-hour cease-fire to stop rising gun violence, citing a “crisis moment” as murders in the city skyrocket — but the desperate plea fell flat after a victim was critically wounded in a shooting just hours later.
San Francisco police confirmed a person was shot in broad daylight on Thursday in the Mission District, shortly after Mayor Daniel Lurie, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, anti-violence activist Rudy Corpuz, Jr. and other leaders begged for a pause in the surging violence on the steps of City Hall.
“We’re here with every sector — whether it’s the private sector, the hood sector, or any sector, that we all are under one umbrella,” said Corpuz, director of United Playaz. “In San Francisco for 24 hours, April 10th, tomorrow. For a cease-fire for our kids.”
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins cited a rising murder rate in San Francisco, calling the situation a “crisis point.”
Three young people gave emotional testimony at the mid-day press conference on the steps of City Hall, describing the impact of violence on their communities.
“I cannot stress enough how important it is to have accountablity through the criminal justice system,” added chief of police Derrick Lew. Though crimes like auto break-ins and car thefts have declined in recent years, murders have surged from four to 14 compared to the same period last year.
Nine of the homicides involved guns, according to KQED.
” I want to remind everyone public safety is my top priority as mayor,” said Lurie, who spoke near the end of the event.
“We cannot only respond after violence occurs. To do that, we must build stronger connections between City Hall and the community,” Lurie said before noting his efforts to improve police hiring.
A person near the press conference can be heard on video shouting about a need for more services.
Unfortunately, the call for non-violence was short-lived after an individually was critically wounded in the Mission District shooting.
Officers rendered aid before the victim was sent to the hospital with “life-threatening injuries,” San Francisco police said in a statement.
“Upon arrival, officers located the victim and rendered aid. Paramedics responded to the scene to render aid and transported the victim to a local hospital for their life-threatening injuries,” San Francisco police said in a statement.
