SAN FRANCISCO — Late in the morning on Thursday, August 7, 56-year-old Teresa Sheehan was shot by San Francisco police officers after a brief altercation. Authorities were called to a halfway house located on 15th Street in the Mission District around 11 a.m., after a social worker who came to pay Sheehan a visit called police after being threatened by her.   The social worker once again attempted to speak to Sheehan, this time accompanied by police officers, and was again threatened by the suspect. Once aware that Sheehan was carrying a weapon, officers proceeded to take over the situation. Sheehan, who was reportedly branding a knife and lunging it towards officers, was pepper-sprayed by authorities before shots were fired. Unable to control the situation, and fearing for their personal safety, officers fired several shots, including one that injured Sheehan.

            The incident has roused media and community attention, in part because of Sheehan's age. Public blogs and commentaries reveal that community members and residents are concerned about how officers reacted to the situation. This is not the first time the San Francisco Police Department has been criticized in regards to dealing with hostile suspects. In November 2006, officers felt the heat of community scrutiny after Sheffield Village officers tasered a woman arrested for drunk driving who was not complying with officers.

            Sheehan was later hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries and the authorities involved in the incident have been put on standard administrative leave while authorities properly investigate the incident. Sheehan was booked on two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. The San Francisco Police Department was contacted for further information, but did not respond at time of press.