SFPD officer shot in head is discharged from hospital

The San Francisco police officer who was shot in the head while responding to reports of a mentally ill man — who himself was fatally shot during the ensuing standoff — has been discharged from the hospital and transferred to a rehabilitation facility, the police union said Friday.

The bullet that missed his main cerebral artery by less than a centimeter caused a skull fracture and brain trauma, and left his right leg paralyzed, officials said.

“Kevin is determined through intense physical therapy and state of the art neurological treatments to walk again and ultimately return to full duty as a San Francisco Police Officer,” the Downs family said in a statement.

According to Cmdr. Greg McEachern, McWherter began firing the second Downs exited his patrol car, and it appeared no words were initially exchanged.

Police have obtained video of a confrontation between McWherter and a security guard, who pepper-sprayed him twice inside a Big 5 Sporting Goods at Lakeshore Plaza Shopping Center before police responded, McEachern said at the meeting with city residents.

Downs and his wife, Corey, asked those wishing to give financial assistance instead give donations to the organization he co-founded, Ranchin’ Vets, which helps veterans who served after the 9/11 attacks find opportunities in the agricultural industry and transition to civilian life.