Two employees at a San Francisco homeless shelter have been arrested for allegedly assisting a man who shot and wounded a police officer in May. Oliver Barcenas, 36, and Erika Porter, 45, were taken into custody on August 20 on charges of harboring an attempted murder suspect, according to the San Francisco Police Department.
San Francisco Police Chief Derrick Lew stated that attempting to help an armed gunman evade capture after shooting an officer is "unconscionable." He commended officers for apprehending the suspect and investigators for holding the two shelter workers accountable.
The incident began on May 31 when officers attempted to stop a vehicle near the Bay Bridge. The driver, identified as Norris Reed III, 36, allegedly led police on a pursuit before crashing into a concrete barrier. Police reported that after exiting the vehicle, Reed opened fire on two officers, striking one in the leg.
Reed fled the scene on foot but was apprehended approximately two hours later at the Bayshore Navigation Center, a homeless shelter funded by city contracts and operated by the nonprofit Five Keys on behalf of the city's Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. The center can house up to 128 long-term guests and provides case management services.
Authorities allege that Barcenas, a worker at the center, provided Reed with new clothing to alter his appearance. Porter, also a worker at the facility, is accused of making false statements to law enforcement during their search for the suspect.
Barcenas has a prior felony conviction for possession of a firearm and ammunition, for which he was sentenced to seven years in jail in December 2018. Reed faces charges including two counts of attempted murder and other felonies.