SFPD releases bodycam video in fatal shooting of Dior security guard
Dec 31, 2024
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Authorities released surveillance video Monday showing a hit-and-run pedestrian crash that occurred earlier this month in San Francisco’s Union Square along with officer-worn body camera footage of the fatal police shooting of the suspect hours later.
The hit-and-run suspect, 50-year-old Peter Francis Hodge Jr., was shot and killed by San Francisco Police Department officers on Dec. 20 in front of the Christian Dior store on the corner of Grant Avenue and Post Street where he worked as an armed security guard.
Authorities identified Hodge as being behind the wheel of a GMC Yukon that sped down the sidewalk of Kearny Street at around 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 19, striking two pedestrians, a 17-year-old girl and an 18-year-old woman, before ramming into a man on an e-bike.
During a town hall meeting on Monday, police released a 911 phone call from one of the hit-and-run victims. The victim is heard telling dispatch that her foot and thigh were injured from being run over by the vehicle and that her friend “flew in the air” after being struck. The two pedestrians were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Surveillance video shows the involved vehicle driving down the sidewalk of Kearny Street closely after the bicyclist on an e-bike. (SFPD)
Surveillance video newly shared by officials shows a black SUV with flashing lights, resembling emergency vehicles, driving down the sidewalk of Kearny St. at a high rate of speed, closely following behind a person on an e-bike. As the bike and the vehicle reach the corner joining Sutter Street, at least one pedestrian on the sidewalk is seen being struck by the GMC and others run out of the way.
Shortly after the e-bike and the vehicle turn left on Sutter, the bicyclist, later described by police as a Hispanic man in his twenties, is seen being struck by the GMC and is ejected. After sliding from the street onto the sidewalk, the bicyclist jumps up and runs away into a parking garage. The suspect is seen grabbing the bike and the bicyclist's belongings and bringing them to the vehicle. After a short time, the suspect drives away with the belongings while leaving the bike behind.
The involved bicyclist was not located after the incident.
During the investigation of the aggravated assault, officers reviewed video evidence and received witness tips, leading them to identify Hodge as the primary suspect.
SFPD officers discuss how they will approach Peter Hodge. (SFPD)
Officer-worn body camera footage released on Monday begins with a briefing between several SFPD officers before they contact Hodge outside of Dior. According to officers on camera, they are aware of Hodge having multiple registered firearms. “We know that he’s armed with a pistol,” the officer said on video during the brief.
The officers begin to talk strategy on how they will approach Hodge and how they will handle different possible scenarios, including if officers are shot at. “If we start taking rounds, then we’re going to have to like return fire,” an officer is heard saying.
Bodycam video released from six officers shows gunshots ringing out around 40 seconds after officers get out of their vehicles and begin to give commands to Hodge.
San Francisco police officers confront security guard Peter Hodge on Grant Avenue outside of Dior. (SFPD)
“What are you worried about?” Hodge is heard asking multiple times before the shooting.
“We’re going to use force against you. Just put your hands up,” an officer replied.
The video from one officer shows a BolaWrap restraint device being fired, followed by another officer shooting a less-lethal projectile. Almost immediately after, Hodge is seen raising what appears to be a handgun at officers and numerous gunshots are rapidly fired by police.
Peter Hodge is seen raising what appears to be a handgun before SFPD officers fatally shoot him. (SFPD)
Officers provided aid before paramedics transported Hodge to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
A handgun is seen on bodycam lying near Hodge after the shooting and was recovered from the scene, according to SFPD.
The fatal police shooting remains under investigation, according to SFPD Acting Commander Mark Im. “We are still in the very early stages of an administrative investigation that can take months to complete,” Im said.
The full video released by SFPD can be viewed on the department’s Vimeo page (WARNING: graphic content).