San Francisco’s District Attorney, Brooke Jenkins, has made public surveillance video and additional evidence concerning the fatal shooting of Banko Brown, a suspected shoplifter, by a Walgreens security guard. The incident, which took place on April 27, has generated significant public outcry. Jenkins, after careful consideration, cited self-defense as the grounds for her decision not to press charges against the guard, Michael Earl-Wayne Anthony.
The released surveillance footage reveals the sequence of events. Brown is seen attempting to exit the store while carrying a bag when he is intercepted by Anthony, who proceeds to repeatedly strike him. A struggle ensues until Anthony successfully pins Brown to the ground. Brown manages to retrieve the bag and heads towards the store’s exit. However, he abruptly turns around and appears to approach Anthony, resulting in Anthony firing a single shot that causes Brown to collapse outside.
During a police interview, Anthony recounted instructing Brown to return the items he had taken, but Brown allegedly became confrontational and fought to retain them. Anthony claims to have offered Brown his freedom if he calmed down, but Brown purportedly threatened him with a knife, despite no such weapon being found. Anthony maintains that he discharged his firearm when Brown advanced, unaware that Brown intended only to spit at him.
San Francisco Supervisor Shamann Walton has expressed dissatisfaction with the shooting, asserting that the video footage fails to justify Anthony’s actions. Walton intends to petition for an independent review of the district attorney’s decision. Nonetheless, Jenkins stands by her determination, emphasizing that no evidence has emerged to contradict Anthony’s claim of acting in self-defense. She urges the public to thoroughly examine all available evidence, including witness testimonies and police reports, while considering the absence of audio in the surveillance footage.
Banko Brown, a homeless individual, was employed as a community organizer for the Young Women’s Freedom Center, a non-profit organization that supports young women and transgender youth. The center’s co-executive director decried the shooting as unwarranted, emphasizing that resorting to armed force should never be an acceptable response to poverty.
Supervisor Dean Preston has responded to the incident by introducing legislation aimed at restricting private security guards from employing firearms unless faced with a specific and immediate threat.
As of now, neither Walgreens nor Kingdom Group Protective Services, the security provider for Walgreens, have issued official statements regarding the incident.
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins assumed her position following the removal of her predecessor, Chesa Boudin, who faced criticism for his perceived leniency toward criminal activity. Jenkins has vowed to be a fair yet resolute prosecutor committed to addressing issues such as retail theft and drug dealing in the city.
