Executive Summary
- SFPD officers responded to reports of gunfire at the Palace Hotel at approximately 12:16 p.m. Saturday.
- A standoff ensued after a possible suspect refused to exit the building; crisis negotiators are on scene.
- Portions of the hotel were evacuated, and no injuries have been reported.
- The incident coincided with a major power outage affecting the hotel and 40,000 PG&E customers.
Law enforcement officials in San Francisco established a tactical perimeter around the historic Palace Hotel on Saturday afternoon, initiating a standoff with a potential suspect following reports of gunshots in the downtown area. The incident prompted a significant police response, including road closures and partial evacuations of the property.
According to San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) spokesperson Officer Robert Rueca, officers responded to the unit block of New Montgomery Street at approximately 12:16 p.m. after receiving emergency calls regarding gunfire. Upon arriving at the scene, investigators determined that a possible suspect had barricaded themselves within the building and refused to vacate the premises.
By 3:00 p.m., a dedicated hostage and crisis negotiation team was deployed to the scene to facilitate a peaceful resolution, Officer Rueca confirmed in an email statement. Authorities successfully evacuated the immediate area surrounding the suspect within the hotel to ensure public safety. As of the latest update from the SFPD, no injuries have been reported in connection with the incident.
Complicating the operational environment, a phone operator at the Palace Hotel noted that the facility experienced a loss of power on Saturday. This outage coincided with a broader, unplanned disruption affecting nearly 40,000 PG&E customers across the city, though the cause remained undetermined at the time of reporting. Police closed Market Street to traffic between Annie and New Montgomery streets and advised the public to avoid the area while the perimeter remained active.
Operational Response & Public Safety
The deployment of crisis negotiators indicates a strategic focus on de-escalation and a measured response to a contained threat. The concurrent power outage presents logistical challenges for law enforcement regarding building security and communication infrastructure, potentially prolonging the operation. As the investigation proceeds, authorities are prioritizing the safety of hotel guests and the surrounding downtown district. It is important to note that any individuals detained or accused in connection with this incident are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
