"Minutes later, 40-year-old Juan Antonio Serrato lay near death, shot in the chest at close range by San Francisco police officer Michael Scott. Scott fired after Serrato turned and hobbled towards another police officer, making stabbing-like motions in the air with the scissors. Serrato's injuries were critical, but police officials said last week he is expected to survive. The law gives great leeway to the use of lethal force by police officers - especially in California, said Brian Cox, a San Francisco public defender."
"An expert police source, who wished to remain anonymous, said that in the incident which occurred on Sept. 4, a less-lethal weapon would be a far better initial choice than shooting Serrato in the chest. Since 2015, according to the San Francisco police department's use of force policy, officers have been required to carry both pepper spray and a 20 millimeter "bean bag gun," which fires rubber bullets meant to temporarily incapacitate a subject. The SFPD does not use Tasers."
At about 11:10 a.m. on Sept. 4 three callers reported a limping man walking down the middle of Highway 101 in San Francisco while carrying scissors. Officer Michael Scott shot 40-year-old Juan Antonio Serrato in the chest at close range after Serrato turned and hobbled toward another officer while making stabbing-like motions. Serrato sustained critical injuries and is expected to survive. California law grants wide leeway for police use of lethal force and officer misconduct trials in San Francisco are rare. Since 2015 SFPD policy requires pepper spray and a 20mm bean bag gun; SFPD does not use Tasers. Experts said less-lethal tools could have reduced harm and bystander risk.
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