Stabbing of SF city worker was an anti-LGBTQ hate crime, DA says

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A man who allegedly stabbed a San Francisco city employee in the Tenderloin last week was charged on multiple counts, including premeditated attempted murder and an anti-LGBTQ hate crime special enhancement, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced Thursday.

The suspect, 27-year-old Oscar Chapman of San Francisco, allegedly stabbed a male city employee who was working at the Windsor Hotel in the Tenderloin on Sept. 13. Around 11:07 a.m., the San Francisco Police Department responded to the single room occupancy hotel on Eddy Street on a report of a stabbing, the DA’s office said. Witnesses told police arriving at the scene that Chapman had fled and directed officers to his location.

Shortly after, San Francisco police found Chapman along with a knife that was allegedly used in the stabbing and apprehended him, according to the DA’s office.

Chapman was arraigned on Sept. 20 for the charges of willful, deliberate and premeditated attempted murder; assault with a deadly weapon, not a firearm; vandalism more than $400; second degree burglary; and making criminal threats. Additionally, there are special allegations that an anti-LGBTQ hate crime occurred, according to Jenkins. Chapman pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and allegations. The suspected attacker will remain in jail with no bail set.

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The worker, who has not been identified, was stabbed four times. He was treated at the scene by San Francisco Fire Department paramedics for non-life-threatening injuries before being transported to a local hospital.

“The alleged attack in a Tenderloin permanent supportive housing building left a man seriously injured and a neighborhood shocked,” said Jenkins. “I offer my unwavering commitment to pursuing justice and ensuring that the suspect is held accountable for this senseless crime.”

After the alleged attack, Service Employees International Union member Cheryl Thornton told KRON4, “It’s not surprising, given the circumstances down here.” City workers like Thornton said the city must do more to keep their employees safe.

“Just like anywhere else, people deserve to have access to health care. It’s a basic human right. And so we’re committed to doing that work to the best of our ability. But at the same time, we didn’t come down here to lose our lives, we didn’t come down here to be maimed. And so we want the city to put safety ahead of cost,” Thorton said.

In today’s announcement, Jenkins said, “Residents and staff at Supportive Housing sites, like all city residents, need to be safe where they live and work.”

Chapman faces life in state prison if convicted of all charges and allegations, the DA’s office said.

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Security guard accused of killing man at SF Walgreens will not be charged with murder, DA says

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- The private security guard who is accused of fatally shooting San Francisco man Banko Brown, 24, will not be charged with murder, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins confirmed Monday.

Brown was shot in front of Walgreens on the 800 block of Market Street just after 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 27. Michael Earl-Wayne Anthony, 33, was identified as the primary suspect and arrested.

Jenkins' office will not pursue murder charges because Anthony is believed to have been acting in self-defense during the shooting. The DA said she reviewed witness statements, suspect statements and video footage before coming to the decision.

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"The evidence clearly shows that the suspect believed he was in mortal danger and acted in self-defense," Jenkins said. "We cannot bring forward charges when there is credible evidence of reasonable self-defense. Doing so would be unethical and create false hope for a successful prosecution." 

According to Brown's mother Kevinisha Henderson, investigators believe the incident began when Banks shoplifted from Walgreens near Market Street and 4th Street. It ended with Anthony allegedly shooting and killing Brown.

“When they watched the video, there was absolutely no reason for him to do what he did,” Henderson said. “I don’t understand why a Walgreens security guard would have a gun.”

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KRON4 has confirmed that Anthony has been released from jail and did not have to post bail due to there being no charges.

Read the full statement from Jenkins below:

"The killing of Mr. Banko Brown on April 27, 2023 was a tragedy and my heart breaks for his friends and family.

After careful review of all of the evidence gathered by the San Francisco Police Department in this case, my office will not be pursuing murder charges, at this time, in connection to the shooting.  We reviewed witness statements, statements from the suspect, and video footage of the incident and it does not meet the People’s burden to be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury that the suspect is guilty of a crime.  The evidence clearly shows that the suspect believed he was in mortal danger and acted in self-defense.   

We cannot bring forward charges when there is credible evidence of reasonable self-defense. Doing so would be unethical and create false hope for a successful prosecution.  

No matter the case, however, we must follow the law and the evidence, wherever it leads. We never make decisions based on emotions or what may be politically expedient."   

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