Wheelchair user used as human shield in gunfight in San Francisco’s Tenderloin
Further details are emerging in the case of Winston McDonald – accused of assault with a firearm and a battery of other offenses arising out of an early-morning gunfight last week in San Francisco.
Prosecutors say McDonald, 36, opened fire on a rival standing across the street one block from the city’s Warfield Theater on March 7. Astonishingly, that target then used a nearby wheelchair user as a human shield, from behind which he returned fire, before McDonald made good his escape in a BMW.
Two people were struck by gunfire on a street that was already busy at 5:00am.
Multiple spent 9mm and .40 caliber casings littered the scene.
Cops found McDonald the next day as he drove his BMW at the Parkmerced development in the southwest of the city.
“The defendant’s actions demonstrate an extreme disregard for human life,” wrote assistant district attorney Rebecca Warren in a motion to detain.
“By initiating a shootout in a crowded public street and firing multiple rounds, defendant created a risk of death or serious injuries to numerous bystanders.”
The shocking incident took place just steps from one of the city’s leading concert venues, and one block from the Market Street IKEA store, whose much-vaunted food hall has suffered from lack of foot traffic.
Last month, near the same location, prosecutors say Sefanaia Alatini shot to death Anthony Lopez.
Mayor Daniel Lurie maintains crime is down throughout the city.
“Public safety is the foundation for San Francisco’s recovery and will always be my North Star,” he said January in a ‘state of the city’ speech.
McDonald’s rap sheet includes 11 felony convictions in San Francisco including assault with a firearm, burglary, vehicle theft and drug dealing.
He appeared on March 11 before Judge Sylvia Husing, where he pleaded not guilty to eight felony gun assault and firearms possession charges.
He remains in custody ahead of a hearing April 9.
The case continues.
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