S.F. police arrest shelter workers for ‘harboring’ gunman who allegedly shot officer

San Francisco police chief Derrick Lew announced Friday that two employees at a homeless navigation shelter in Bayview were arrested on Thursday evening for allegedly “harboring” a gunman who shot and wounded a police officer on the night of May 31.

Oliver Barcenas, 36, and Erika Porter, 45, were booked into San Francisco County Jail for allegedly obstructing a police officer and acting as an “accessory.” Porter was additionally booked for two misdemeanors.

In a press release published on Friday afternoon, San Francisco police stated that Barcenas gave Norris Reed III, the alleged gunman, “clothing to conceal his identity” and that Porter “gave false statements to the police to prevent the officers from locating him.” According to police, Barcenas was currently on probation for possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Steve Good, the CEO of Five Keys, which runs the navigation center, said he was “deeply troubled” and “surprised” by the allegations.

Good said he was told by his staff that the gunman, Reed, attempted to enter the shelter on May 31, but was stopped at the door. Reed, said Good, then showed staff two firearms in his waistband, and instructed them not to call the police. Good said that his staff then began evacuating the facility from the back of the building.

According to Good, Reed stood outside the building in a gated area, while a staff member alerted the police, who were actively searching for Reed.

Over an hour before trying to walk into the navigation center, Reed had crashed his vehicle on a highway exit on Bayshore Boulevard and Jerrold Avenue while fleeing police. He and an alleged accomplice had allegedly robbed a business in the East Bay, and were intercepted by San Francisco officers upon crossing the Bay Bridge.

When officers approached Reed, 36, at approximately 10:45 p.m., Reed allegedly fired at the police, striking police officer Brittney Taylor, severely injuring her. In the gunfight, a passenger in his vehicle was also shot and left in critical condition. Reed then fled, hiding from police in the navigation center across the street.

An employee at the navigation center allegedly alerted the police of Reed’s presence at approximately 12:17 a.m., and he was arrested.

San Francisco police officers said they reviewed security footage from the facility with the assistance of the San Francisco district attorney’s office showing Barcenas and Porter allegedly aiding Reed to hide from the police.

Good said that he spoke to Barcenas and Porter the day after the incident. Good said that both employees relayed a narrative of the evening’s events that matched that of his other staff at the center.

“We hope these allegations are not true,” said Good. “A person tried to enter our facility with over 200 people in it and was peacefully arrested without incident,” he said. “I don’t know anything that happened beyond that.”

Barcenas was previously involved in two high-profile police shootings.

In 2018, Barcenas was shot in the back by police officer Joshua Cabillo on a crowded North Beach street as he fled from the officer. Body-worn camera footage showed Barcenas discarding a concealed weapon as he ran, shortly before being shot.

Cabillo had pulled over after spotting Barcenas drinking on the street on the night of the Warriors championship celebration.

In 2012, Barcenas was shot by future (interim) police chief Toney Chaplin in the Mission District. Barcenas was carrying a pistol.