SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Police have arrested two suspects following an assault on law enforcement officers providing security for San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, according to city officials. The mayor remained safe during the incident.
The assault occurred Thursday evening when a group of individuals blocked the path of Lurie’s vehicle and security team in the Tenderloin district. According to witnesses who spoke with Mission Local, a San Francisco news publication, the situation escalated to violence after one of the protective officers requested the group clear the way.
Footage captured by the news organization reveals one security officer, wearing formal attire, engaged in a physical confrontation with an individual who eventually forced the officer to the ground.
The mayor’s purpose for visiting the Tenderloin — an area notorious for open drug activity and sales — remained uncertain, though Lurie frequently conducts walking tours throughout the city to engage with community members.
“There was an altercation involving Lurie’s security detail and that the mayor was not involved,” stated Charles Lutvak, speaking on behalf of Lurie.
According to a police department statement, San Francisco officers arrived at the location following a backup request from the mayor’s protective detail, who reported being engaged in physical combat with two unknown individuals.
Both protective officers suffered injuries that were not life-threatening and received medical attention from emergency responders on scene, the San Francisco Police Department confirmed in their official statement.
Authorities charged both suspects with assault on a peace officer using a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, drug paraphernalia possession, and additional violations.
