A person who drove a car into the Chinese consulate was shot and killed by officers, San Francisco police said. Police said they received reports of a car that crashed into the consulate around 3:09 p.m. on Monday near Geary Boulevard and Laguna Street. The car came to a stop inside the lobby of the consulate's visa office, and officers soon made contact with a suspect. Officers shot the person, and the suspect later died at the hospital.
A video of the incident has been doing rounds on social media in which a blue Honda car was seen resting in a lobby and dozens of people were running away from it. A consulate statement condemned the incident and added that it posed a 'serious threat' to the safety of its staff along with other people who were present at the scene, the BBC reported.
The statement read, "We strongly condemn this violent attack and reserve the right to pursue responsibility for the incident."
The consulate has also lodged solemn representations (A phrase used for expressing diplomatic discontent) to the US while urging its authorities to ensure that the matter is dealt with properly, BBC reported.
San Francisco Police Department's Sergeant Kathryn Winters said that police officials responded after being alerted to the vehicle having crashed into the visa office.
According to the police officials, an investigation is underway, however, they refrained from disclosing any further information.
A heavy police presence was also seen with the consulate building in the city's Japantown area being cordoned off, reported the BBC.
According to the BBC, queue barriers and chairs were seen in the lobby topped on one another and other pieces of furniture appeared to be damaged.
So far no injuries have been reported from inside the consulate.
San Francisco is set to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation next month which the Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend.