SAN FRANCISCO — Two employees of a San Francisco homeless shelter face criminal charges for allegedly helping a man evade police after he shot and seriously wounded an officer, while their defense attorneys argue the workers acted under threats from an armed suspect to protect themselves and more than 100 shelter residents.
According to an Oct. 21 report by Mission Local, Oliver Barcenas, 36, and Erika Porter, 45, were working at the Bayshore Navigation Center when Norris Reed III entered the facility following a police pursuit and shooting on May 31.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins’ office alleges that Barcenas and Porter helped Reed conceal himself and provided him with clothing.
Their defense maintains that the employees acted under threatening circumstances that must be considered when evaluating their potential criminal responsibility.
According to the defense and witnesses interviewed by Mission Local, Reed entered the shelter carrying two firearms and threatened employees. More than 100 people were staying at the facility at the time, raising concerns about the potential danger to residents and staff.
Former shelter CEO Steve Good said he reviewed security footage and believed the workers were attempting to protect those inside the facility rather than voluntarily helping Reed escape.
Good also said a supervisor instructed employees to comply with the armed man’s demands.
Barcenas’ attorney, Gabriel Navarrete, said his client provided clothing to Reed in an attempt to keep him calm and prevent the situation from escalating.
A shelter resident described the encounter as frightening and said employees eventually evacuated residents before police arrested Reed.
Prosecutors, however, have presented a different account of the employees’ conduct.
Jenkins’ office alleges that Barcenas and Porter knowingly assisted Reed after he fled from officers. Prosecutors contend the employees had opportunities to contact law enforcement but instead helped Reed avoid capture.
The defense disputes that characterization, arguing that the alleged threats and the presence of firearms affected the employees’ ability to act safely.
The competing accounts place the circumstances surrounding the employees’ actions at the center of the criminal case, particularly whether they acted voluntarily or complied with demands because they feared violence against themselves or shelter residents.
The prosecution must establish the elements of the charged offenses, while the defense maintains that the alleged threats and the danger to those inside the shelter are essential to understanding the employees’ conduct.
The case also involves questions about the extent to which the employees could safely refuse Reed’s demands or contact law enforcement while he was allegedly armed and threatening people inside the facility.
Superior Court Judge Dawn Payne was expected to consider whether sufficient evidence existed for the case to proceed to trial.
The outcome of that hearing has not been confirmed, leaving the case’s current procedural status unclear.
Surveillance footage, witness testimony and evidence concerning the alleged threats could help establish what occurred inside the shelter and whether the employees knowingly assisted Reed in evading police.
Whether Barcenas and Porter voluntarily helped Reed avoid capture or acted out of fear for their safety and the safety of shelter residents remains disputed.
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