Off-duty FBI agent shoots local musician twice in the chest at Haight and Ashbury [Updated]

Off-duty FBI agent shoots local musician twice in the chest at Haight and Ashbury [Updated]Photo: Evan Blaser/Flickr
Camden Avery
Published on February 10, 2020

A man was hospitalized on Saturday night after being shot twice in the chest by an off-duty FBI agent at Haight and Ashbury streets.

Police say that the incident occurred around 11:34 p.m., when officers responded to the 500 block of Ashbury (between Haight and Page) to "render aid to an adult male subject suffering from apparent gunshot wounds."

The Examiner reports that the shooting was the result of an altercation between three men, one of whom was the off-duty FBI agent. The identity of the agent, who was uninjured, has not been shared with the public. 

According to SFPD, the shooting victim was taken to SF General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police did not comment on whether the FBI agent was in custody.

District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston confirmed the incident later that evening.

The incident is under active investigation by both the FBI and the San Francisco Police Department's homicide detail, which is asking for help from additional witnesses with possible information.

Update, 2/11, 10:16 a.m.: The Examiner reports that the shooting victim is Tad Crane, 24, an artist and street musician. He remains in the hospital, but is expected to recover from the gunshot wounds to his chest and stomach.

Crane's mother, Teri Pederson, told the Examiner that she has credible witness reports that her son was shot “for trying to stop a fight.”

While Crane was not charged with any crimes in relation to the shooting, police said he has been arrested on a felony warrant for possession of drugs for sale. Crane's public defender disputed that claim, saying he had been arrested for possession of mushrooms and LSD.

Raised in Idaho and Northern California, Crane has lived in San Francisco since he was 19. He has struggled with housing insecurity, living in a recreational vehicle for much of that time. After his vehicle was towed, he slept on the streets; the Homeless Youth Alliance recently helped him find an apartment in the Mission.

On Monday afternoon, a small group of demonstrators gathered outside SFPD's Park Station to protest the treatment of Crane and the lack of clarity around the treatment of the FBI agent. Police and the FBI are investigating, but it remains unclear whether the agent has been arrested or charged with a crime.


Anyone with information is asked to call SFPD's 24-hour tipline at (415) 575-4444, or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with "SFPD." You may remain anonymous.