San Francisco police officers responding to a 911 call early Thursday morning shot and killed 37-year-old Marc Child, who was armed with a knife after an alleged assault in the Richmond District, according to the SFPD.
Police provided few details about the assault, but Child’s 76-year-old mother, Barbara Child, and a dog were found dead inside the home on 31st Avenue near Balboa Street, authorities reported.
Officers were responding to a call about an aggravated assault around 2:40 a.m. and met with an 84-year-old man at the scene, police said. He was later taken to a hospital after the incident for minor injuries.
“During the interaction, the 37-year-old suspect, who was armed with a knife, advanced toward the officer and the [male] victim from inside the home,” read a report from SFPD on Thursday. Police then shot Child, who was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. When officers entered the home, police said, they discovered Barbara Child and the dog, who were both dead.
Though the police did not identify the victims or suspect, the house belongs to Barbara Child and 83-year-old Roland Child, according to property records. Their son is 37-year-old Marc Child, who is a licensed attorney, according to the State Bar of California; records list him at the same address.
The Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the deaths of Barbara Child and Marc Child.
Several neighbors knew Barbara and Roland, and said that their son sometimes lived with them, but many had never seen or spoken to him.
A couple living across the street, who declined to give their names, said they heard police yell at someone to drop a knife right before two to three gunshots rang out.
“The policeman was yelling at someone,” the man said, adding that the police were “talking about a knife.”
“He said, ‘Put the knife down,'” added the woman. Immediately after the shooting, police swarmed the area, the couple said, and a body was wheeled shortly after.
“I just remember him walking his dog all the time,” the man added, saying Barbara and Roland often walked together through the neighborhood. “He’s been here as long as I’ve been here.”
Another neighbor, who also declined to give his name, said the couple had three dogs: A cream-colored golden retriever named Kilo, an older light-colored dog named Lala, and a light brown dachshund named Buddy. He said the couple had just returned from vacation in Hawaii, and that Barbara was originally from Hawaii.
Barbara and Roland would often walk their dogs around the neighborhood, he said, and that he would chat with Barbara, in particular, for as long as an hour during their walks. “When she walked the dog at school time, kids would pet the dog and talk with her.”
The man was devastated to hear the news. He had heard about an incident and was walking by the house when he came upon the scene. “I was hoping to see Barbara,” he said through tears.
District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan, who represents the Richmond, released a statement regarding the shooting on Thursday morning.
“This is a tragic incident, and together we mourn the loss of life,” Chan said. “When one household is hurt, our entire community is impacted. My heart and thoughts are with the family.”
This incident is under investigation by several city agencies: The District Attorney’s Office, the SFPD’s Investigative Services Division, the SFPD Internal Affairs Division, the Department of Police Accountability, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
A notice left on the door by the San Francisco Department of Animal Care and Control identified a deceased “light hair, blonde dashchund” and said the department had impounded a living golden retriever.
Deb Campbell, a spokesperson for Animal Care and Control, said that because of the ongoing police investigation, the dogs would be kept in “protective custody” until a solution was found. Campbell clarified that the dogs would not be “humanely destroyed,” as the notice left on the Childs’ door said.
This is the second fatal police shooting this year. Last month, police shot and killed a man armed with a gun after a long standoff.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Crime is trauma and the county offers different services, which can be found here. Victims of violent crime can also contact the Trauma Recovery Center at UCSF.
Did none of you all read the article?
“Deb Campbell, a spokesperson for Animal Care and Control, said that because of the ongoing police investigation, the dogs would be kept in “protective custody” until a solution was found. Campbell clarified that the dogs would not be “humanely destroyed,” as the notice left on the Childs’ door said.”
Did you not read this statement at the end of the article?
“This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.”
The article was updated with Ms. Campbell’s response. It is a factory form, but the responding ACC officer hand wrote “4 days,” and there was no need for that. “Please contact asap” would have sufficed nicely. The blowback was justified.
Animal Care & Control has no intention of euthanizing the dog from this case. This is a standard form we use when we take in animals in situations where we cannot make contact with a guardian. We often need to make guardians aware that their animal is at our shelter and that we urgently need to speak with them. We understand that this is a unique and tragic situation, and there is absolutely no intention to euthanize the dog.
So it’s standard practice to threaten dog owners with euthanasia that you have no intention of actual carrying out? That sounds no less shitty.
Mitch, agreed!
A story involving two dead people and the comments are all about the status of the remaining dogs. Very San Francisco
Why would ACC euthanize these animals?? According to their website, they only kill animals who are too sick to treat or who have behavioral issues that make them dangerous to the public.
So they collect the man’s remaining dogs from his home for no valid reason, then give him only four days to collect them before they’re euthanized? I bet they’ll also charge him for it. Isn’t Mr. Child suffering enough?
Why would the dogs be humanely destroyed in 4 days if the owner was attacked with a knife and the other owner was killed?
Jesus Christ, ACC. Already ticked off a day?
I thought San Francisco was an enlightened city but Animal Care and Control can only be bothered to keep two harmless dogs for four lousy days. Give them to a no kill shelter.
Brooke Jenkins’ reign of brutal, violent terror is ramping up in intensity and frequency.
Yay, police! Saving one life in the present, and who knows how many in the future, by eliminating this dangerous criminal.