Man who charged and entered the Chinese consulate was shot dead
On Monday evening local time, an incident occurred at the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco, California, where a man drove into the building's hall. The perpetrator was shot and killed by local police after being taken to the hospital. As of now, no information about the driver or their motives has been provided by the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD).
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10 October 2023
The SFPD released a statement saying that they received a report at approximately 3:09 pm on October 9, stating that a car had entered the Chinese consulate near Gari Avenue and Laguna Street. The car was located in the visa office of the consulate. According to local Fox News-owned TV station's latest news, authorities are still investigating the identity of the man and clarifying why he broke into the consulate.
Reactions from Weibo netizens have been mixed, with some expressing gratitude towards the SFPD for ensuring the safety of the consular staff and facilities. However, others have raised several concerns and speculations regarding the incident. Many users have questioned the normal procedure in such situations, wondering why the driver was killed instead of being arrested and interrogated first. Some even suspected a possible connection to a larger conspiracy or outside influence.
A Weibo user named "拼音开门大好" (Pinyin Kai Men Da Hao) wrote, "Although the outcome is good, why was the person killed? Without evidence, it's like dead without reason! Isn't the normal procedure to arrest and interrogate first, figure out the reason for breaking into the Chinese Consulate General?" Another user named "杨琼" (Yang Jing) commented, "It always feels a bit suspicious. If it was a car bomb attack, the consequences would be unimaginable!"
On the other hand, some Weibo netizens defended the SFPD's actions and expressed their gratitude for ensuring the safety of consular staff and facilities. A user named "小亀" (Xiao Gu) wrote, "I don't have any conspiracy theories. The U.S. security is like that now. Do members of Congress get hit a few times? Plus this is San Francisco..." Another user named "猫耳朵" (Mao Er Duo) commented, "The result is fine, but you still need to check his identity as soon as possible and ensure the safety of our staff."
As for the identity of the driver and their motives, it remains a mystery. The San Francisco Police Department has not released any information about whether the driver had a weapon or what their assessment of the purpose for this incident is yet. However, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian stated that the Chinese side has demanded the U.S. to provide a clear explanation and ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and facilities in the U.S.
The incident has raised questions about security measures at Chinese consulates and embassies abroad, especially given the current political tensions between China and the United States. It also sparked debates on social media platforms regarding the proper procedures to be followed in such situations and the potential risks associated with them.
In conclusion, while the immediate danger has been averted with the death of the perpetrator, the incident at the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco highlights the need for heightened security measures at diplomatic missions around the world. As investigations continue to uncover the driver's identity and motives, it is crucial that all parties involved abide by standard procedures and protocols to ensure the safety of everyone involved.