SF's Castro hit by brazen stabbing, window-smashing spree

  • by John Ferrannini, Assistant Editor
  • Thursday October 17, 2024
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Surveillance video from the Pilsner Inn shared with the Bay Area Reporter shows a person allegedly vandalizing the bar's window on October 11. Image: Courtesy Pilsner Inn
Surveillance video from the Pilsner Inn shared with the Bay Area Reporter shows a person allegedly vandalizing the bar's window on October 11. Image: Courtesy Pilsner Inn

Within a matter of days San Francisco's Castro neighborhood was hit with a stabbing in broad daylight and a spree of window smashing at businesses — and just before the inaugural night market in the LGBTQ district. The crimes are believed to be unrelated.

Most recently, on Tuesday, October 15, just before 10:45 a.m., police responded to a victim with life-threatening injuries in the parking lot behind the Walgreens at 498 Castro Street, a San Francisco Police Department spokesperson stated to the Bay Area Reporter.

"Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from stab wounds and rendered aid," SFPD public information officer Paulina Henderson stated in an email. "Medics arrived on scene to render aid and transported the victim to a hospital with life-threatening injuries."

Gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman told the B.A.R. October 18, "Tuesday morning's stabbing at the 18th and Collingwood Parking Lot was of course disturbing to me, as it was to neighbors and passersby.

"Neighbors and city personnel responded quickly and compassionately to the victim," he continued. "As there is an active investigation, I can't say much other than that we don't believe this was a random incident."

District 8 public safety liaison Dave Burke, a straight ally, assured that the stabbing is not a homicide investigation as of October 22, and the SFPD stated there were no updates on the victim's condition.

The stabbing comes within a week of windows at five neighborhood businesses being smashed, also by an unknown assailant, last Friday, October 11, which was National Coming Out Day. The first target was the Pilsner Inn, at 225 Church Street.

"On 10/11/2024 at approximately 3:00 a.m., San Francisco Police Officers responded to the 200 block of Church Street in regard to a vandalism of a business," Henderson stated. "Officers arrived on scene and observed damage to the building. Officers met with an employee of the business who advised that an unknown suspect vandalized the window."

The B.A.R. caught up with Pilsner manager Adam Simonoff, a gay man, on October 17. He said the window had just been replaced that morning, and shared security camera footage purportedly showing the man who attacked the window.

"One of our bartenders was cleaning up," Simonoff said. "It was around 2:50 in the morning, and she was in our office and heard the noise."

The cost of the window was around $1,500, Simonoff said.

"We had to order the glass special," he explained. "It's not something they keep on hand."

The same suspect is believed to be responsible for a broken window at Taco Boys at 2312 Market Street.

"Officers were advised that an unknown suspect carrying an unknown object damaged the windows," Henderson stated with regard to that incident. "Officers arrived on scene and canvassed the area for the suspect to no avail."

A Taco Boys employee told the B.A.R. the manager was not in for comment October 17, but would be October 18.

A storefront window at Cliff's Variety was smashed October 11. Photo: Terry Asten Bennett  

Then, at Cliff's Variety, the longtime legacy business at 479 Castro Street, a person matching the person in the Pilsner's video smashed a window around 3:35 a.m. Store co-owner Terry Asten Bennett, a straight ally who's president of the Castro Merchants Association, stated to the B.A.R. October 17 that "hopefully the glass is available for them to install today. Glass replacement alone is over $5,500, and we still need to replace the film and get the top of the window repainted."

Asten Bennett said she was grateful that city officials had reached out to her. Gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, whose birthday is October 17, was unavailable to comment.

"The police actually called me at 4:30 in the morning to let me know my window had been smashed and gave me the report number," she continued.

Mandelman stated, "These acts of vandalism underscore the ongoing problem of San Francisco's mental heath and drug crisis — it's dangerous for people and dangerous for property. Thankfully neighbors secured high quality video evidence."

Henderson stated, "On 10/11/2024 at approximately 4:34 a.m., San Francisco Police Officers were flagged down regarding a vandalism to a business located on the 400 block of Castro Street. Officers were advised by an employee of the business that an unknown suspect had damaged the window to the store. There were no reports of items stolen from the business nor reports of injuries."

Finally, a block down at Phantom, 516 Castro Street, a security camera video viewed by the B.A.R. in the store shows someone matching the description of the man in the Pilsner's video smashing a window. Gay co-owner Gary Knight said a replacement was installed October 11 to the tune of $1,800.

"Thankfully, he didn't come inside," Knight said. "So nothing was stolen. That was it."

Simonoff and Asten Bennett also said that nobody came into their businesses.

"It's just annoying," Knight continued. "It's really annoying this is happening. What can they do if they catch him? There needs to be tougher laws."

Henderson stated, "On 10/11/2024 at approximately 3:21 a.m., San Francisco Police Officers responded to the 500 block of Castro Street in regard to a burglary alarm at a business. Officers arrived on scene and observed damage to the store's window. Officers determined that the unknown suspect did not enter the business."

Vandals hit before night market debut
As the B.A.R. previously reported, the Castro is getting in on the night market action, with the inaugural event set for Friday, October 18, from 5 to 9 p.m.

The night market will see 18th Street closed from Hartford to Castro streets and then from Castro to Collingwood streets. The aforementioned parking lot between Walgreens and Toad Hall will also be utilized.

No arrests have been made in either the stabbing or the window-smashing spree, and they remain active and open investigations. Mandelman urged anyone with "relevant information or video evidence" to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact the SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.

Updated, 10/18/24: This article has been updated with comments from Supervisor Rafael Mandelman.

Updated, 10/23/24: This article has been updated regarding the stabbing victim.

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