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Man who died in police fight wanted for beating 97-year-old

SAN FRANCISCO-Filimoni Raiyawa, 57, died while being placed under arrest for attacking two San Francisco police officers on July 30.

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San Francisco Board of Supervisors President London Breed and Supervisor Malia Cohen issued a statement Thursday calling for an independent investigation of Raiyawa’s death. A member of Cohen’s household found the injured man and called for an ambulance at approximately 5:00 a.m., reporting that Cohen had suffered a fall.

Basurto stated that police believed that Cohen was beaten, as his injuries appeared to be caused by repeated blows with an unknown object. The suspect of their investigation was wanted in connection with the brutal bludgeoning of a 97 year old male who sustained life threatening injuries.

Raiyawa, the elderly man’s caretaker, had fled the victim’s residence in a light blue Honda Odyssey van with California plate No. 3VWY823, Basurto said.

Police say that Thursday morning at approximately 5:30 a.m. SFPD officers responded to a call regarding a vehicle collision which occurred on Richardson Drive at Francisco Street. Scott Lunger, who was slain during a traffic stop last week, said he is glad to report that both officers who were injured Thursday morning have been released from the hospital and are recovering. He was taken to the hospital and later died of his injuries.

The driver of the BMW approached Raiyawa after the collision, and heard him speaking incoherently.

The forward driver became scared and backed away. Raiyawa allegedly then got out of the auto and started going after the other driver, Suhr said.

The rear-ended driver began to run away while the suspect, described as a roughly 250-pound, powerfully built man, “walked after him purposefully”, Suhr said.

The officers knocked him to the ground and put him in handcuffs.

He then struck the other officer, injuring her knees, legs and wrist.

Suhr said the suspect then struck one of the officers on her head and shoulders, knocking her to the ground and “nearly unconscious”.

The suspect then attempted to enter an IHOP located at the intersection via an exit-only door.

Raiyawa tried to flee into a nearby IHOP, but none of the employees would let him in as he pounded on the door. The officers began first aid and CPR until relieved by paramedics but Raiyawa was eventually pronounced dead at the scene. Emergency responders attempted to resuscitate Raiyawa, but were unsuccessful.

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