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A night of chaos in San Francisco’s Union Square ended in a fatal police shooting of a Dior security guard, identified as 50-year-old Peter Hodge. The incident unfolded after Hodge was allegedly involved in a violent hit-and-run earlier that evening, where he reportedly drove his SUV onto a sidewalk, hitting multiple pedestrians and an e-bike rider. New bodycam footage released by the police captures the dramatic moments leading up to the shooting.
Hit-and-Run Incident Sparks Investigation
The incident began days before Christmas, around 6:30 p.m., when surveillance footage captured a black SUV chasing an e-bike rider on the sidewalk near Union Square. The footage shows the SUV, resembling a law enforcement vehicle, slamming into the e-bike and sending the rider airborne.
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Immediately after the crash, 911 calls flooded in from two injured pedestrians who had been on the sidewalk. The victims, seeking refuge inside a nearby Chipotle, described the harrowing moment when the SUV plowed into them.
“Me and my friend just got hit by a car… They hit me and my friend on the sidewalk,” one caller told emergency responders.
Despite the impact, the driver attempted to place the e-bike into his SUV but failed. Instead, he took a bag from the e-bike and fled the scene in his vehicle. Police launched an investigation and spent several hours tracking down the suspect.
Fatal Police Shooting of Security Guard Peter Hodge
Around seven hours later, officers located the suspect’s SUV and identified the driver as Peter Hodge, an armed security guard working outside the Dior store. Bodycam footage reveals police officers attempting to arrest Hodge, issuing multiple verbal commands and even using non-lethal force.
Police reports state that Hodge initially complied by raising his hands but then questioned officers, saying, “For what? What are you worried about?” Moments later, he moved his right hand toward his waistband, prompting officers to shout warnings.
“He’s reaching! He’s reaching!” officers yelled, as Hodge suddenly took a shooting stance—his feet shoulder-width apart, both hands gripping a handgun, and his body slightly bent forward—pointing the weapon at the police.
In response, six police officers opened fire, striking Hodge multiple times. He was rushed to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Police recovered Hodge’s firearm at the scene, confirming that he was armed at the time of the shooting.
Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Investigation
Authorities believe the initial hit-and-run incident stemmed from a dispute—sources suggest Hodge chased the e-bike rider after the rider scraped his SUV. However, police have yet to confirm this theory.
Despite extensive efforts, police have not located the e-bike rider, leaving a key element of the case unresolved. Investigators continue to review footage and witness statements to determine the full circumstances behind the incident.
The San Francisco Police Department is expected to release further updates as the investigation progresses. Meanwhile, the community remains divided over the tragic series of events that led to a security guard losing his life and multiple people being injured in a chaotic hit-and-run.
