San Francisco: 5 wounded in Tenderloin drive-by shooting
SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - San Francisco police are investigating a drive-by shooting in the Tenderloin that left five men wounded Monday afternoon.
The incident happened around 3:15 p.m. on the 200 block of Leavenworth Street, between Turk and Eddy streets, less than a block away from the Tenderloin police station.
A witness says a gray van pulled up to a group of people standing outside of a residential hotel when someone in the van, wearing a black mask began shooting out the van's window.
The female witness, holding her dog, did not give her name, but said everyone got down on the ground as multiple gunshots rang out. She said she was scared, got her belongings off the ground and ran inside her home. She said anywhere from 6 to 10 shots were fired from a handgun.
Police responded to the area on reports of a shooting where they initially found four men suffering from gunshot wounds. The four men were taken to a hospital with what appears to be non-life threatening injuries.
A short while later, a fifth victim was found suffering from a minor gunshot wound. Police said that man declined medical assistance.
District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney told KTVU, “This sort of violence in our community is awful and terrifying. I’ve been in close touch with the police captain since the shooting, receiving updates about the condition of the victims, status of the investigation, and [am] supporting however I can.”
Witnesses and neighbors who spoke with KTVU said violence is common in this area.
Another witness shared cell phone video of their vantage point from inside a residential hotel on the street corner with KTVU. It shows the victims being loaded into ambulances.
"It's almost every day. Pop, pop," said Bora Peang, a Tenderloin resident and convenience store owner. She said she only heard three shots, but suspected there could have been more.
Peang has lived in the area for 20 years and owns Empire Market on a nearby street corner. She said the incident reminded her of her nephew who was killed in a shooting when he was closing the store almost 10 years ago. She said the crime was never solved.
Neighbors said this shooting could have easily killed an innocent bystander and that there are too many children that live in this area.
Police have not released a motive for the shooting. No arrests have been made. A suspect description wasn't immediately available.
Police are asking for witnesses or anyone with suspect information to come forward. They can call the department's anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444. SFPD 200 374 833.
Bay City News reporter Daniel Montes contributed to this story.