Ad Executive Fatally Shot by S.F. Police

An advertising executive who helped to dream up such famous brand names as Rogaine and Prozac was shot to death in his Mercedes convertible late Tuesday by police who said he threatened them.

John Smart, 46, was killed in San Francisco’s skid row area after police officers on patrol intervened to stop him from struggling with a woman in the car.

Police told reporters that after they talked to Smart outside his car, he went back to the vehicle, ostensibly to get his identification. Then, he started the car and drove forward, pinning one officer against a parking meter.

Smart reportedly reversed the car and began moving forward again, prompting police to begin shooting.

Smart was identified by local news reports as a senior executive at the San Francisco office of Interbrand, an international advertising firm.