Muni Fare Evader Killed by SFPD Was Washington Murder Suspect

SFPD has identified the man shot and killed by officers after a Muni fare inspection turned in to a shootout Saturday afternoon. According to the Chronicle this morning, SFPD identified the victim as 19-year-old Kenneth Harding a parolee from Washington State who was also wanted by Seattle police as a suspect in a shooting that left one 19-year-old pregnant woman dead and three others injured last week.

According to Chief Suhr, police informants helped SFPD recover the gun that was spotted on the ground in the crime scene video and allegedly went missing after the incident.

Meanwhile, the Appeal reports that several activist groups are calling for a federal investigation in to the incident, claiming the District Attorney Gascón should recuse himself given that he's the former Chief of Police*. Bayview Supervisor Malia Cohen also issued a statement on Saturday, saying she intends to review the results of the police department's internal investigation.

[*Sidenote: If Gascón wins a full term in the upcoming District Attorney's elections, are we going to have to do this every time there's a case involving the SFPD?]

Previously: Officer-Involved Shooting in the Bayview, The Public Reacts to Yesterday's Officer-Involved Fatal Shooting in the Bayview
[Chronicle]
[BCN/Appeal]

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By Andrew Dalton in News on July 18, 2011 8:55 AM

Comments [rss]

Megan Luke

So they found out *after* they brutally shot and killed him that he was a *suspect* for a crime? Is that the information I'm getting from this?

Andrew Dalton

No, that's not the information you're getting from this. Harding was shot after he opened fire on SFPD officers. They found out he was a suspect for another, earlier crime after he was identified later.

gregnsf

He was also a "suspect' for trying to force a 14-year-old into prostitution. The poor dear, he was just misunderstood.

TimothyWells

Yes. However it makes the notion that he was shooting at police someone easier to believe.

I've also been reading reports that additional video show someone removing the gun. I won't make any judgements until the facts are in. I'm amazed by the number of people that are:

1: Sure this is a case of bored police gunning down an innocent teenager for fare jumping.
or
2: Sure the guy was absolutely guilty of a quadruple murder and deserved it.

Apparently theres no room for common sense in the middle.

CptSludge

"If Gascón wins a full term in the upcoming District Attorney's
elections, are we going to have to do this every time there's a case
involving the SFPD?"

Yeah you will. Which (along with his constant media-whoring and non-existent prosecutorial experience) is a primary reason why he shouldn't be elected.

(and, for the record, I also think that an internal candidate for Sheriff would be a better choice than Mirkarimi. I'm generally sick of our city's constant preference for celebrity over technocratic experience in our elected leaders - I'll probably vote for the losing candidate in both the DA and Sheriff's races).

Anonymous Guest

You're absolutely right about Gascón and what a horrible problem he is in the DA's office.

But with Mirkarimi there's no conflict of interest. Sheriff Hennessey had less law enforcement experience than Ross and he's generally acknowledged by all to have done an amazing job these 3 decades.