The Chinese consulate announced it will reopen its doors and resume operations Thursday after San Francisco police shot and killed a man armed with a crossbow who crashed a car inside its doors Monday afternoon.
Some residents and visitors planning travels and seeking visas to China had come to the consulate earlier in the week, only to find its doors closed in response to the crash and shooting’s aftermath.
Although some businesses were closed Monday for Indigenous People’s Day and Columbus Day, a source inside the consulate said Monday was a normal work day for staff. Employees evacuated the building after the incident.
Police and emergency vehicles first swarmed the area around Laguna Street and Geary Boulevard Monday afternoon. The fire department initially said a suspect had been taken to a hospital with serious injuries, but San Francisco Police Department spokesperson Kathryn Winters said around 6:30 p.m. that he had died.
The incident prompted strong statements from the Chinese government, which said the “extremely bad” incursion had seriously damaged the building and endangered workers. “The mission severely condemns this violent attack and reserves the right to pursue responsibilities related to the incident,” the consulate said in a statement.
“Our mission has made solemn representations to the United States, demanding that the truth be quickly ascertained and dealt with seriously in accordance with the law.”
San Francisco police have said they were working with the U.S. State Department to investigate. On Thursday morning, the city’s Office of the Medical Examiner released the identity of the driver. Police have not discussed what might have motivated his actions.