[gofundme] Justice For Luis Francisco Manzo // South SF
Now, they have put a warrant out for his arrest on bogus charges, and the cops who shot him are not being held accountable. We refuse to be intimidated by their manipulative tactics and will fight for these senseless charges to be dropped and for justice for Luis.
Legal battles are notoriously expensive, and we will need financial help to fight for Luis. Thank you for your support.
About fundraiser:
What Happened?
On December 8, 2025, 28-year-old Luis Francisco Manzo was shot six times by officers of the South San Francisco Police Department, identified as Officer Brendan Hart and Officer Martin Corona.
At approximately 5:00 a.m., Mr. Manzo’s mother contacted 911 to report that her son was experiencing a mental health crisis, specifically psychosis accompanied by suicidal ideation. She requested mental health support and intervention.
In response to the call, four South San Francisco Police Department officers arrived at the apartment complex. Mr. Manzo’s mother exited the apartment to speak with officers in the hallway. Within moments of that interaction, Mr. Manzo exited the apartment and walked toward officers with his hands raised.
As Mr. Manzo reached the exterior doorway of the hallway, one officer stated, “He’s got a knife.” Officers then retreated, drawing their firearms and a taser. Mr. Manzo was observed moving away from officers, while officers advanced toward him and repeatedly instructed him to “get on the ground.”
A South San Francisco Police Department officer deployed a taser on Mr. Manzo. Within seconds of the taser deployment, officers discharged their firearms, striking Mr. Manzo six times. He sustained gunshot wounds to the abdomen and neck, resulting in critical injuries that have left him bedridden.
Organizational Statement: [East Bay Community Care Network]
We are deeply disturbed by the actions and response of the South San Francisco Police Department in the shooting of Luis Francisco Manzo, a 28-year-old man experiencing a documented mental health crisis.
This incident began as a request for mental health support, not a law enforcement confrontation. Mr. Manzo’s mother explicitly contacted 911 seeking help for her son’s psychosis and suicidal ideation. Despite this, officers arrived on scene and engaged in an encounter that escalated rapidly and violently, lasting less than five minutes from initial contact to the use of lethal force.
The South San Francisco Police Department failed to meaningfully utilize de-escalation tactics, despite having a mental health counselor assigned to the response. The presence of a single mental health professional on scene was ineffective and insufficient, particularly when officers did not allow time or space for that resource to intervene before deploying force.
Instead of slowing the situation, establishing distance, and prioritizing communication, best practices when responding to individuals in mental health crisis, officers escalated the encounter. The decision to deploy a taser and then open fire within seconds demonstrates a profound failure in crisis intervention, training, and command decision-making.
We call on the South San Francisco Police Department to be held fully accountable for:
The failure to prioritize de-escalation in a known mental health crisis
The inadequate use and integration of mental health resources on scene
The rapid escalation to lethal force within minutes of arrival
Mental health crises require care, patience, and trained intervention, not fear-driven, force-based responses. This incident underscores the urgent need for systemic change in how law enforcement responds to individuals experiencing mental illness, including stronger crisis response protocols, independent mental health leadership on scene, and accountability when those standards are not met.
Luis Francisco Manzo deserved help. His family deserved support. What occurred instead represents a failure of policy, training, and compassion that cannot be ignored.
Ways to Support Luis:
At this time, Luis Francisco Manzo is preparing for the legal proceedings ahead and will require significant financial resources to secure adequate legal representation and ongoing support.
Community members and supporters are encouraged to contribute to Luis’s legal defense and recovery efforts. Donations will directly assist with legal expenses and related costs as he seeks accountability and justice.
To support Luis, please consider making a contribution to his GoFundMe campaign at the link below: https://gofund.me/6b80acb99
We also encourage supporters to share Luis’s story, uplift calls for accountability, and advocate for improved mental health crisis response systems to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
Your support, whether financial, through advocacy, or by amplifying this message, makes a meaningful difference.
