SFPD officers mistake nearby gunfire for attack on police

A group of San Francisco police officers believed they were targeted by gunfire early Monday morning after a series of shots rang out near them on Potrero Hill.

But while the officers were not the target of the shooting after all, the incident highlights the level of tension among police after the killing of five officers in Dallas last week.

The 2 a.m. incident happened near Missouri and 22nd streets when about six officers heard shots and took cover, according to a high ranking officer who was not authorized to speak on the record.

The officers “felt they were getting shot at,” said the officer, who noted that no one was hurt. “Everyone is watching their back.”

The Police Department has been on high alert since the Dallas shootings Thursday night, which specifically targeted police and left five officers dead. Interim Chief Toney Chaplin said last week that there has been no indication that anyone has targeted police in San Francisco, but noted that officers have been encouraged to be vigilant.

Police spokesperson Officer Grace Gatpandan said that an investigation determined the suspects were uphill from the officers and could not even see them.

“They were actually shooting at someone else,” said Gatpandan.