January 1, Chinese Consulate Involved in Fatal Crash in SF

A sudden crash at the Chinese consulate in San Francisco left onlookers shocked as a car plowed through the building’s front, resting in the lobby.

The incident took a dark turn when San Francisco police officers confronted the unidentified driver and shots were fired.

The driver succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.

Authorities remain puzzled over the motivation behind the crash into the consulate, prominently located opposite San Francisco’s Japantown.

The Chinese Consulate General swiftly responded, labeling the incident a “violent attack.”

Videos from the site revealed a blue Honda sedan that had made its way into the consulate’s visa office lobby.

Sgt. Kathryn Winters of the San Francisco Police Department noted that officers were dispatched to the scene around 3 p.m.

After establishing contact with the driver, an altercation ensued which culminated in the fatal shooting.

While the exact nature of the confrontation and the number of officers who discharged their firearms remain undisclosed, no casualties or injuries were reported from within the consulate.

Currently, a joint investigation is underway, combining the efforts of the local police, the U.S. State Department, and the Chinese Consulate. Sgt. Winters stated, “I wish I could give you more but this is a very complex investigation.”

The Chinese Consulate General expressed deep concern, firmly stating, “Our embassy severely condemns this violent attack.”

Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, echoed this sentiment during a briefing.

“We strongly urge the U.S. to launch a swift investigation and take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese diplomatic missions and personnel there in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations,” he stated, referencing the 1961 pact that delineates diplomatic interactions.

Historically, the San Francisco consulate has been a hotspot for disturbances.

In 2014, a notable event occurred when a local Chinese man ignited a fire at the consulate’s main entrance.

The arson attack left portions of the building’s exterior severely damaged.

The individual later confessed that auditory hallucinations influenced his actions and received a prison sentence of almost three years.

The incident casts a shadow over San Francisco’s preparations for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

The city is expecting the arrival of global leaders from Pacific Rim countries, including President Joe Biden.

However, it remains uncertain whether Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend.

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