Daring Attack: Unraveling the Shocking Series of Events at the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco
Driver who crashed into Chinese consulate in San Francisco was armed with a knife and a loaded crossbow He attempted to stab a responding officer before being fatally shot by police, according to authorities
Last week, authorities revealed that the individual responsible for crashing a blue Honda sedan into the Chinese consulate in San Francisco was armed with a knife and had a loaded crossbow in his car. The individual, identified as Zhanyuan Yang, 31, was ultimately shot and killed by the police. San Francisco Police reported that the incident occurred on October 9 at around 3 p.m. local time, and thankfully, no other injuries were reported.
During a town hall on Thursday, the San Francisco Police Department provided details regarding the unfolding of the consulate attack. In this meeting, officials presented 911 calls and body camera footage captured by responding police officers.
One of the videos displays an officer arriving at the location and entering a building where a blue sedan had crashed. Inside, the camera focuses on a man wearing a blue T-shirt and pants, who is attempting to conceal his face. Gradually, the man is pushed against a wall, while a voice questions whether he is armed. Within seconds, an officer shoots the man, causing him to fall to the floor.
During a town hall meeting, San Francisco Police Acting Cmdr. Mark Im disclosed that as the sergeant and the security guard restrained Mr. Yang against the wall, he turned towards them and revealed a knife held firmly in his right hand. Im further elaborated that Mr. Yang proceeded to make several quick and forceful downward swings with the knife aimed towards the sergeant and security guard.
In San Francisco, California on October 9, 2023, police officers can be seen outside the Chinese consulate visa office, where a vehicle crashed into the building. The driver of the car, who crashed it into the Chinese consulate in San Francisco, was shot dead by US police. San Francisco Police Department's spokesperson mentioned that the incident occurred in the afternoon when the vehicle collided with the consulate's visa office. However, it remains unclear whether this was a deliberate act. (Photo by Laure Andrillon / AFP) (Photo by LAURE ANDRILLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Laure Andrillon/AFP/Getty Images
Person drives into Chinese consulate in San Francisco and is killed by police after confrontation, authorities say
Consulate security guards reportedly deployed pepper spray on Yang before the arrival of officers, according to the police. The authorities also disclosed that a loaded CenterPoint crossbow and arrows were seized from the location. Photos of the incident reveal the crossbow and arrows positioned in the rear seat of the crashed vehicle; however, a motive for the incident remains unknown.
According to the 911 calls that were released, witnesses reported approximately 30 individuals present in the lobby at the time of the car crashing into the consulate building. One caller informed the dispatcher that the driver deliberately rammed into the building. Additionally, a witness captured a video showing more than a dozen people rushing out of the building while security guards attempted to restrain Yang, who was standing beside his crashed vehicle in the lobby.
Videos recorded by Sergii Molchanov show the car crashed into the consulate on October 9 and debris scattered on the ground as people ran out of the building.
Courtesy Sergii Molchanov
Police had previously refused to disclose the reason for opening fire at the scene or confirm if the driver was armed. Additionally, the authorities did not comment on whether the crash was intentionally caused. Witness Sergii Molchanov captured videos showing individuals fleeing past a blue car that had collided with a wall inside the consulate, resulting in debris scattered across the premises. Molchanov mentioned that he had been waiting to submit visa documents when the vehicle unexpectedly crashed through the main entrance and came to a halt mere feet away from his location.
The driver, as Molchanov recounted, emerged from the car and exclaimed, "Where is CCP?" in a seemingly allusive manner to the Chinese Communist Party. Subsequently, the driver engaged in a physical altercation with the security guards, Molchanov mentioned. Molchanov further narrated that in the midst of this chaos, both he and other visitors were filled with fear and proceeded to flee, until the arrival of the police was witnessed. On top of that, Molchanov highlighted that he distinctly heard the reverberation of two gunshots.
The Consulate General of China in San Francisco issued a statement last week, expressing concern about the crash and emphasizing that it resulted in severe damage and posed a significant threat to people's lives. The consulate called for a prompt and thorough investigation to ensure appropriate legal action is taken.
According to San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott, numerous search warrants have been executed, and evidence has been obtained from Yang's apartment. However, the motive behind the incident cannot be disclosed at present.
CNNs Taylor Romine and Christal Hayes contributed to this report.
