“This last shooting was the final straw,” said San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi, a frequent critic of the police, adding that he wasn't surprised by Suhr's departure.

The sergeant involved in Thursday's shooting in the Bayview neighborhood apparently violated department rules that prohibit firing on a vehicle unless an officer’s life appears in danger, Adachi said.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced in February it would investigate San Francisco police because of repeated officer-involved shootings.

Protesters for months had called for Suhr’s removal. A group of five went on a hunger strike on April 21 outside the police station in the Mission neighborhood, calling on Lee to fire Suhr. They were hospitalized 16 days after they stopped eating.