Robber killed by bullet which ricocheted of robbery victim in San Francisco

A TEENAGE boy has been shot dead by a bullet fired by his accomplice in a street robbery which ricocheted off their victim's face, police say.

Clifton Chatman, 16, was killed by the deflected bullet during the robbery in the Beal Heights neighborhood of San Francisco.

One of the alleged suspects, also 16m has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted robbery, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Police said a group of suspects, including Chatman, had robbed a man of his phone about 11pm on December 14. One of the suspects pulled out a handgun and opened fire, despite the victim complying with their demands.

The bullet glanced off the victim's face and hit Chatman, with the 16-year-old pronounced dead at the scene.

The robbery victim was admitted to hospital for treatment, but is expected to survive his injuries.

Police are searching for the other suspects.