Police in San Francisco, California, United States have shot dead a driver who crashed his car into the Chinese consulate early Tuesday, October 10.

The deceased was driving around 1 pm (local time) when he crashed into the lobby area of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China.

In unverified footage shared on social media, the vehicle is seen inside the building with police officers – who responded within minutes of the incident – pointing guns at the driver’s door.

At this point, people were fleeing the building.

Police officers responded within minutes

San Francisco Police Department Spokesperson Sergeant Kathryn Winters says they were alerted that a vehicle had crashed into the office that handles visas and responded swiftly.

“Officers entered, made contact with the suspect and an officer-involved shooting occurred,” Winters told reporters.

A spokesperson for the Consulate General of China in San Francisco later released a statement, ruing the serious threat that the crash had posed to the lives of staff and people on site.

Chinese consulate responds

The spokesperson added that the consulate “strongly condemns” the incident, calling for thorough investigation to be carried out expeditiously.

“The Consulate has made solemn representations to the US side, requesting a prompt investigation into the truth and a serious punishment in accordance with the law.”

The driver was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

“This is an open and active investigation and the San Francisco Police Department is currently working in coordination with investigators from the US State Department,” Winters said.

San Francisco is home to a large number of ethnic Chinese residents, including many from Taiwan, a self-ruled island that Beijing considers a renegade province and has vowed to one day control.