Alleged knifeman shot four times by federal officer guarding Ninth Circuit Courthouse in San Francisco appears in court
Further details are emerging in the case of Zachary Guyton – shot four times by a federal protective service officer outside the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals building in San Francisco in the early hours of January 26 after, investigators say, he attacked the officer with one of his two knives.
A heavily-bandaged Guyton, appearing this morning at the city’s district courthouse, was told he now faces two charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, along with allegations he violated supervised release terms imposed after an earlier release violation tied to a 2019 firearms and methamphetamine conviction.
Prosecutors say Guyton was asked to move along by a federal security officer after being seen sitting on a ledge of the James R Browning Courthouse on 7th Street.
The officer saw a large knife in a bag beside Guyton and kicked it away.
“According to the interview of the PSO as well as surveillance video of the interaction,” wrote FBI Special Agent Gary Grzymala in the complaint, “after the PSO kicked the bag away from Guyton, [he] stood up, drew a second knife and quickly advanced on the PSO.
Grzymala describes the officer drawing his firearm and retreating which prompted Guyton to stop advancing. He then lowered his gun, in response to which Guyton came towards him again.
“When Guyton advanced again, the PSO brought his firearm back up and discharged it approximately seven times, striking Guyton approximately four times. The PSO later stated he was in fear for his life when he did so.”
A passing U.S. Park Police officer and SFPD responded to the shooting.
Today in courtroom B of San Francisco federal courthouse U.S. Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler told Guyton that he had been charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in federal jurisdiction and one count of assault with a deadly or dangerous weapon of a person assisting a federal officer or employee
Guyton, clad in the orange clothing of San Francisco County Jail, appeared with his right arm bandaged and bound to his body by other bandages and secured by a sling.
Public defender Taylor Fatherree told the court that she would be seeking her client’s pre-trial release. For his part, prosecutor Kevin Barry said the government wanted Guyton to remain in custody.
Beeler told all parties to return on March 2 for a detention hearing and a preliminary hearing and to set further proceedings.
Guyton did not enter a plea.
The case continues.
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