Man Shot While Trying to Get Police to Kill Him Pleads Not Guilty

A South San Francisco man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to two felonies after he was shot while allegedly trying to get police to kill him late last month, prosecutors said.

The two felonies against Mike Gordon, 55, are for brandishing a weapon and obstructing a peace officer in the performance of the officer’s duty, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.

Gordon was allegedly walking and carrying a shotgun at the corner of Romney and Del Monte avenues in South San Francisco shortly before 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 30, according to prosecutors.

An officer responded and found Gordon seated on a bench at the intersection, according to prosecutors.

The officer told Gordon to stay seated but Gordon allegedly stood up and walked toward the officer with the shotgun, prosecutors said.

The officer told Gordon to stop but he allegedly cocked the unloaded gun, aimed and walked toward the officer, according to prosecutors.

The officer then shot Gordon, who went to the hospital and will survive, prosecutors said.

An investigation revealed that Gordon had previously attempted suicide and wanted to die by having police shoot him, according to prosecutors.

An attorney with the county’s Private Defender Program will represent Gordon, who did not waive his right to a speedy trial, prosecutors said.

Gordon is due back in court again for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 25.

Gordon is in custody on $50,000 bail and faces a maximum of three years in state prison, prosecutors said.

--Bay City News Service, photo via Shutterstock