Suspect who shot SFPD officer was released from prison 6 months ago after serving 14 years

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A suspect who was released from prison six months ago has been charged with attempted murder in a shooting that left a San Francisco police officer hospitalized in serious condition.

Police Chief Derrick Lew told the Police Commission the shooting of Officer Brittney Taylor last Sunday had a profound impact.

"I just wanted to note this was absolutely devastating for officers and her family," Lew said.

Taylor remains hospitalized after being shot multiple times during the incident.

Prosecutors said 36-year-old Norris Reed was charged Wednesday with two counts of attempted murder and numerous felony counts. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Reed had been on parole for about six months after serving more than 14 years in prison for kidnapping and grand theft involving a firearm.

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Investigators said Reed was found with two loaded guns equipped with extended magazines in the vehicle he was driving Sunday.

"At first look, it appears to be complete failure of the parole system that Mr. Reed had access to this type of firepower," said attorney Steven Clark, who is familiar with the case.

Authorities said the incident began near First and Mission streets when officers spotted a vehicle believed to be connected to a robbery in Hayward. A pursuit followed, ending in a crash and a shootout in which Taylor was struck multiple times. Another suspect, the passenger in the vehicle Reed was driving, was also shot and injured in the gunfire exchange.

"He's only been on parole for six months, and he has all these weapons and engages in this type of conduct, so shortly after being in prison, presumably being rehabilitated. I think it's a very big concern, how did this happen to ensure that it doesn't happen again?" Clark said.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said suspects facing the prospect of returning to prison may be more likely to use violence.

"Sometimes when people are facing a return to prison in this fashion, they know they've committed another crime they may be more likely to commit violence to the police just not to be apprehended because they don't want to go back to prison," Jenkins said.

Reed's attorney declined to discuss details of the case Wednesday, saying only that his client is presumed innocent.

Clark says rehabilitation is important, but so is keeping the public safe.

"When you look at this, you have to ask a lot of questions. What was the level of supervision and was it appropriate?" Clark stated.

State officials said legal restrictions limit what information can be released about people on parole, including the conditions of their supervision.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation issued this statement:

"Norris Reed Jr., 36, was received from Alameda County on Sept. 20, 2012. He was sentenced to 19 years for kidnapping with an enhancement for use of a firearm and grand theft exceeding $950 with an enhancement for being armed with a firearm. He received 661 days of pre-sentence credit for time served while awaiting sentencing and was eligible for credit-earning opportunities while incarcerated. He was released to parole supervision on Dec. 10, 2025, after serving his full sentence as defined by law.

CDCR is limited by law in information it can provide about people on parole, including their parole conditions."