Felony charges have been filed against a man in connection with the brutal beating of a San Francisco LGBTQ neighborhood bar employee in front of the Castro Theatre, the San Francisco District Attorney’s office stated.
Victor Barrios, 34, was located in South San Francisco, in San Mateo County, March 27 and was arrested on an outstanding assault warrant, San Francisco Police Department Officer Paulina Henderson stated to the Bay Area Reporter March 28.
Barrios posted bail, according to a spokesperson for the San Francisco District Attorney's office. He is charged with felony assault without a firearm, the spokesperson said April 1.
As the B.A.R. reported two weeks ago , a GoFundMe was set up for the victim of the March 9 attack. He’s identified as Tony, a doorman at The Mix on 18th Street. The GoFundMe has raised $26,168 of a $60,000 goal as of press time.
The GoFundMe organizer didn’t return a request for comment for this report.
Cleve Jones, a longtime gay rights and AIDS activist, said the victim, Tony, is a personal friend.
“Tony is a friend of mine and I encourage people to support him,” Jones said. “They really need the money.”
The attack took place at approximately 7:41 p.m. that Sunday evening.
"Officers arrived on scene and located an adult male seated on the ground and suffering from injuries," stated SFPD spokesperson Kwanjai Laokwansathitaya in a March 14 email. "Officers rendered aid and paramedics arrived on scene to render aid as well. The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries."
The attack was unprovoked, according to police.
"During a preliminary investigation, officers learned that the suspect physically attacked the victim without provocation. After assaulting the victim, the suspect fled on foot southbound on Castro Street towards 18th Street," Laokwansathitaya stated.
KGO-TV aired a video March 12 of the incident that was taken by a bystander and shared with the local ABC affiliate. An unnamed eyewitness said, "I saw someone being brutally assaulted, kicked, punched; it was like the tail end of the assault, blood everywhere."
The local television station's report also does not name the victim, or his partner. The partner told KGO's JR Stone that Tony will need to see an eye and ear specialist going forward after suffering multiple skull fractures.
The victim had bounced three people out of the bar earlier that day, one of whom lost teeth after biting the bar employee's finger, the partner said.
"This unprovoked act of violence left him with severe injuries, including several skull fractures, requiring immediate hospitalization, emergency medical care, and ongoing treatment from specialists," the GoFundMe states. "Tony is a kind and caring person who did not deserve this horrific attack. As he navigates this painful and uncertain time, we want to rally around him and ensure that he doesn't have to bear this financial hardship alone."
Dave Burke, District 8's public safety liaison, stated to the B.A.R. that "I am very grateful to the San Francisco Police Department for their diligent investigative work in this matter. We won't tolerate violence in the Castro."
“Although an arrest has been made, this remains an open and active investigation,” Henderson stated. “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, 3/29/25: This article has been updated with a comment from Cleve Jones.
Updated, 3/31/25: This article has been updated with a comment from the DA's office.
Updated, 4/1/25: This article has been updated with charging information.
