San Francisco police

Suspect in Custody After Death Threats Aimed at SFPD Chief

A 60-year-old man is in police custody after he made death threats on social media aimed at San Francisco police Acting Chief Toney Chaplin, police said Tuesday.

The suspect, identified as San Francisco-resident Donald Eric Hoganson, was taken into custody on Monday.

"This is an ongoing investigation. We are still gathering evidence and conducting interviews in preparation of presenting the case to the District Attorney's Office," San Francisco police Officer Carlos Manfredi said in a statement.

Police said Hoganson posted Chaplin's picture next to a guillotine on July 16. The tweet calls for Chaplin's head, and the feed contains white supremacy messages.

"The KKK has been passing out fliers in SF, we've had assasinations of officers [in Dallas and Baton Rouge]," Chaplin said. "Any threat of officers I'm going to take seriously, even if it's me."

Neighbors said Hoganson has swastikas in his window, and one neighbor said she received a racist note from him.

Police Sgt. Yolunda Williams agrees the threats need to be taken seriously. She also said the rank and file need to be informed.

"The department has responsibility to let officers know what has occurred so we can be on alert," Williams said.

Chaplin replaced former Chief Greg Suhr, who resigned from the department in May.

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