Shelter Staff Harboring Gunman
Two San Francisco Shelter Employees Arrested for Harboring Suspected Police Gunman
Key Points
Barcenas had a prior felony conviction and was on probation for possessing a firearm and ammunition; in 2018 he was shot in the back by a San Francisco police officer while fleeing.
The other person involved in Reed’s vehicle, Ariunsanaaa Dolgorsuren, was injured during the pursuit and later arrested.
The vehicle Reed fled in was a 2021 gray Toyota believed to have been used in an armed robbery in Hayward; the pursuit reached speeds up to 60 mph and ended when the car struck a barrier near Bayshore Boulevard on-ramp to Highway 101, after which Reed opened fire on officers.
Officer Brittany Taylor was the officer struck by gunfire and she has since been released from the hospital.
Five Keys staff evacuated about 125 unhoused people from the Bayshore Navigation Center, and surveillance footage indicates Barcenas helped Reed enter the center with clothing to conceal his identity.
Two employees at a San Francisco homeless shelter were arrested for allegedly helping Norris Reed III evade police after he shot a city officer on May 31. Mission Local reports that Oliver Barcenas, 36, and Erika Porter provided Reed with clothing and false statements as he fled a high-speed chase that ended at the Bayshore Navigation Center. Reed opened fire on officers during the pursuit, injuring Officer Brittany Taylor, who was later released from the hospital.
SFist reports that authorities recovered two firearms from Reed after his arrest at the navigation center. Police Chief Derrick Lew called the shelter workers' alleged assistance "unconscionable," though staff did evacuate about 125 unhoused people from the facility before Reed's capture. Surveillance footage supports that Barcenas helped Reed enter the center disguised in different clothing.
How the Chase Led to the Shelter
The incident started when officers stopped a 2021 gray Toyota linked to an armed robbery in Hayward. Reed opened fire on officers, and the pursuit reached speeds of 60 mph before the vehicle hit a barrier near the Bayshore Boulevard on-ramp to Highway 101. Reed then fled on foot and sought refuge at the nearby Bayshore Navigation Center, which serves homeless individuals.
Patch reports that Ariunsanaaa Dolgorsuren, the other person in the vehicle, was injured during the chase and later arrested. Officer Taylor was struck by gunfire but survived. Investigators say Reed used the shelter as a hiding spot while police closed in on his location.
Shelter Workers Allegedly Helped Conceal the Suspect
SFist reports that Oliver Barcenas provided Reed with fresh clothing to hide his identity as law enforcement searched the area. Erika Porter gave false statements to investigators, attempting to throw them off the suspect's trail. Both actions violated their duty to cooperate with police and protect public safety.
According to Head Topics, Barcenas had a prior felony conviction and was on probation for firearm and ammunition possession. In 2018, he was shot in the back by a San Francisco police officer while fleeing. His criminal history and recent behavior raised serious questions about shelter staff screening and oversight.
Five Keys Program Disputes Blame With Evidence
Five Keys, the nonprofit that operates the Bayshore Navigation Center, stated that staff evacuated the facility and kept Reed outside as police arrived. Mission Local reports that surveillance footage exists showing staff actions during the incident. The organization suggested that workers attempted to prevent trouble rather than enable it.
Police Chief Derrick Lew rejected this narrative, stating officers "still captured the violent suspect" despite the alleged obstruction. SF Standard reports that the investigation continues as authorities work to determine the full extent of the workers' involvement. The case raises concerns about accountability at contracted city shelters.
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