Luis Francisco-Manzo Critically Injured in South San Francisco Police Shooting During Suspected Mental Health Crisis
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA (December 22, 2025) – A man identified as Luis Francisco-Manzo was injured in a South San Francisco police shooting in an apartment complex on Sandra Court.
San Francisco police officials are saying that the incident took place around 5:10 AM on December 8. Authorities responded to a call after getting reports of a man who was allegedly armed with a knife and in the midst of a mental health crisis.
Officers arrived at the scene and encountered Luis Francisco-Manzo. Authorities claimed that he initially complied with their orders.
However, the man allegedly approached officers with the knife before an officer-involved shooting occurred.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the incident to help Luis Francisco-Manzo. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
Body camera footage of the incident has since been released to the public.
Liability for South San Francisco Police Shootings
Police officers must exercise a great deal of care to avoid needlessly harming people. At no point are officers permitted to use excessive force. According to 42 U.S. Code § 1983, every person who, under the color of law, deprives someone of their rights afforded under the Constitution, shall be liable to the injured party in an action at law. Officers must take several measures if they suspect that someone may be in the midst of a mental health crisis.
- Training: Officers should rely on their training and assess signs that a person may be in the midst of a mental health crisis. These signs could include disorganized speech and extreme agitation.
- De-Escalation: Officers should do everything in their power to de-escalate the encounter. They should speak calmly to the suspect and avoid sudden or aggressive movements.
- Use of Force Continuum: Officers should only escalate the use of force as it becomes necessary given the specific circumstances of the encounter.
Many police shootings are totally preventable. They tend to involve situations where officers are either unwilling or unable to de-escalate encounters. In many situations, officers will adopt a shoot first and ask questions later approach. California law takes into consideration the totality of circumstances surrounding any shooting. A police shooting may be unjustified even if an officer’s action seemed justified in the moment.
Steps to Take After South San Francisco Police Shootings
Many people are seriously injured or killed every year during police encounters. A large portion of the victims were in the midst of a mental health crisis. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, “More than four in ten people treated for non-fatal gunshot wounds from a police encounter were diagnosed with a mental health condition, an alcohol- or substance-related disorder, or both.” Certain steps should be taken after any person is injured by the police.
- Victims should seek a thorough medical evaluation.
- All of the evidence related to the shooting should be gathered. This includes body camera footage from all officers involved.
- The circumstances leading up to the shooting should be carefully considered.
- Any person injured in a police shooting should seek the guidance of a skilled civil rights attorney. An attorney can examine the unique facts of any case and determine whether or not an officer’s use of force was illegal.
It can be difficult to know where to begin after any police shooting. Victims are often left with catastrophic injuries and high medical bills. In many cases, they are so seriously injured that their entire lives are turned upside down. To make matters worse. Police departments will virtually never accept responsibility if one of their officers injures a suspect. This is why it is so important that these incidents are investigated by an outside party.
Investigating South San Francisco Police Shootings
We at Carrazco Law extend our best wishes to Luis Francisco-Manzo and his family as he continues to recover. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened. Many questions remain unanswered.
Do you need more information about a South San Francisco police shooting? Our team of civil rights advocates is here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to helping victims understand their rights and holding law enforcement accountable for their illegal actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
