A San Francisco man was charged with assaulting a peace officer with a deadly weapon after allegedly stabbing a Daly City officer with a pair of scissors in what he later told police was an attempt to get officers to shoot him, prosecutors said.
Anthony Sandoval Lopez, 23, also faces charges of making a false report and obstructing an officer, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.
“This young man is obviously suffering some mental illness,” said San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe.
“It was a felony act when he tried to stab the officer,” Wagstaffe added. “If the appropriate resolution is mental health treatment of some sort, the fact is a felony will have a better chance of getting the best treatment possible in terms of resources devoted to it.”
At his arraignment Monday afternoon, Sandoval Lopez pleaded not guilty to the charges, prosecutors said. Sandoval Lopez has no previous criminal record.
Sandoval Lopez called police around 9:15 p.m. Sunday to report that he had been robbed by five men armed with knives and wearing hoodies and ski masks, prosecutors said.
Police responded to the scene, but because of Sandoval Lopez’s demeanor and responses, the officers questioned whether he invented the robbery, according to prosecutors.
Sandoval Lopez then pulled out a pair of scissors and stabbed an officer twice in the chest area, prosecutors said. Because of a vest and jacket, the officer was not injured.
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With guns drawn, officers told Sandoval Lopez to drop his weapon, prosecutors said. When he refused, the officers warned him that they would tase him or release a police dog on him, prompting Sandoval Lopez to drop the scissors and surrender. He later told police he thought his actions would prompt officers to shoot him, authorities said.
Sandoval Lopez will next appear in court Oct. 2 for a superior court review conference.
If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, round-the-clock support, information and resources for help. Call or text the lifeline at 988, or see the 988lifeline.org website, where chat is available.