STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Authorities Search for Killers of 4 Men in San Francisco

Community leaders fear more violence in retaliation for the fatal shooting of four young black men.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Police stepped up patrols Monday in a gentrifying neighborhood plagued by gang violence where neighbors are on edge after four young black men were shot dead as they sat inside a stolen car over the weekend.

The San Francisco Police Department's gang task force and homicide detectives were investigating the Friday night shooting, police spokesman Albie Esparza said. No suspects have been publicly identified.

San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr said preventing a reprisal attack was a priority. Suhr said four guns were likely used in the shooting and that two were recovered in the stolen car.

Police stepped up patrols of the neighborhood and their presence was noticeable with patrol cars, police motorcycles and vans cruising the intersection.

Community leaders assembled at the African American Culture Center Monday said parents and residents were afraid of more violence in reprisal for the killings and were keeping their children inside.

"Our community is bleeding," said Mattie Scott, a community activist whose 24-year-old son was slain in the same neighborhood in 1996. "Fear is a major issue right now."

The coroner identified the dead as David Saucier, 20, of Antioch, and San Francisco residents Yalani Chinyamurindi, 19, Harith Atchan, 21, and Manuel O'Neal, 22.

The four men were shot dead a few blocks from San Francisco's golden domed City Hall where trendy cafes, antique stores and popular restaurants continue to open in a neighborhood long plagued by gang violence. Ten men and a woman are currently in jail awaiting trial on federal charges of murder, racketeering and a host of other counts connected to a gang authorities say is based in the neighborhood.

A makeshift memorial of candles, flowers and handwritten signs appeared on the sidewalk next to where the shooting occurred across the street from the Samovar Tea Lounge and the San Francisco Zen Center. Two bullet holes remained visible in an empty store front. Graffiti mourning one of the men slain was spray painted on a nearby apartment building.

A prayer vigil was held Monday night at the center.

Yalini Chinyamurindi's mother told the San Francisco Chronicle that her son was at the "wrong place at the wrong time."

Asale-Haqueenyah Chandler said her son worked at a nearby Japanese restaurant, was on his 30-minute break, and was headed to a liquor store to cash his paycheck.

"He called his friend to pick him up," Chandler said. "He only had a half hour. He wanted to give me some money toward our rent and save money for a car."

Witnesses reported more than a dozen shots were fired into the double-parked car.

"I heard 'pop, pop,' about 15 times in quick succession," said Jason Palmer, who was walking his dog two blocks away when the killings occurred. Palmer, an actor who moved to San Francisco 18 months ago, said the neighborhood is plagued with graffiti and crime.

BET National News - Keep up to date with breaking news stories from around the nation, including headlines from the hip hop and entertainment world. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. 

(Photo: Space Images/Getty Images)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.