A 56-year-old mental-health patient shot by police last week survived the incident, but has been arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon.

Teresa Sheehan is being detained at San Francisco General Hospital while she recovers.

San Francisco Police Department Sgt. Wilfred Williams could not provide the injuries sustained by Sheehan, but said that two female officers remain on leave after the incident.

Sheehan was shot by police on Thursday morning after she allegedly threatened her social worker, employed by nonprofit mental health resource provider Conard House. Williams has said the social worker called for police support after the threat, and when officers arrived, Sheehan threatened to kill anyone who came near her.

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Police say pepper spray did not adequately subdue the woman so they were forced to shoot her to “eliminate the threat,” said Williams, who would not say whether the officers shot with the intention to kill or simply to disable her.

Public Health spokeswoman Eileen Shields said that due to privacy issues, she could not comment on Sheehan's injuries, but said, “We are hoping for a good outcome for the patient.”

Seth Katzman, director of supportive housing and community services for Conard House, would not comment on the specifics of the case. However, he said his agency provides supportive housing for chronically homeless and mentally ill clients in apartment buildings across The City. He said social workers and counselors visit clients at least once a week, but only occasionally run into violent situations.

kworth@sfexaminer.com