A police investigation has found that the man killed by San Francisco police this week actually wanted to die.
Police searched the cellphone of Matthew Hoffman, 32, who was fatally shot after pointing a fake gun at police Sunday, and found several suicide notes, one of which addressed the officers who shot him, the Los Angeles Times Reports.
The police department released the note where Hoffman addresses police. It’s titled, “Dear Officer(s).”
“You did nothing wrong,” the letter states. “You ended the life of a man who was too much of a coward to do it himself. I provoked you. I threatened your life as well as the lives of those around me.”
The letter details how Hoffman “used” officers.
“You were completely within your legal rights to do what you did,” the letter reads. “You followed protocols. You did everything right. I just want to find peace within myself. I am so sad and I am so lonely. There is no place for me here. Please, don’t blame yourself. I used you. I took advantage of you. I am so lost and I am so hopeless. God made a mistake with me. I shouldn’t be here.”
Police say three officers asked Hoffman to stop loitering in the Mission Police Station’s parking lot on Sunday. Hoffman wouldn’t leave, and police asked him to take his hands out of his pockets.
When Hoffman pulled out a handgun, two officer fatally shot him. Police later discovered it was a BB gun.
The officers are on administrative leave and an investigation is underway.
Police say Hoffman had come up to police earlier that day and asked what kind of weapons they use. Police did not engage him because they were busy at the time.
Hoffman, whose father agreed to release the “Dear Officer(s)” letter, ended his note by encouraging the officers who shot him.
“Please, take solace in knowing that the situation was out of your control,” the letter says. “You had no other choice.”
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