Thanks to a reader tip, we've learned that an arrest has been made in the death of 74-year-old North Beach sketch artist Stuart "Stu" Jackson.

Alex Bastian, spokesperson for the San Francisco District Attorney's office, confirmed that Collin White has been arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter, assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury (with an enhancement of elder abuse), battery with serious bodily injury and elder abuse (with an enhancement of "causing death").

Jackson, a fixture at North Beach haunts like Vesuvio and Caffé Trieste, was known for his impromptu drawings of other patrons. He was brutally beaten in an unprovoked attack near Market and Van Ness on December 5th. After spending a week on life support, he died on Dec. 13th.

According to Bastian, White's bail was set at $400,000. An arraignment was held earlier this week, but carried over to this morning; we'll update if we get further details on a plea. A source with SFPD also told us that White is 38 years old and a San Francisco resident, and that he was arrested on Jan. 7th, four days after the SFPD released photos and video of a suspect in Jackson's killing, asking for the public's assistance in identifying him.

Meanwhile, plans for Jackson's memorial are moving forward. This Sunday, January 17th, friends and neighbors will gather from 4–6pm at Caffé Trieste (601 Vallejo St.) to pay their respects. Stu's brother, Bob Jackson, who lives in Lafayette, will attend alongside his son, Steve.

Sketch of Fritz Renfrop on bass, by Stu Jackson. (Image: Courtesy of Bill Lanphier)

District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin also spoke about Jackson at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Jan. 12th, and adjourned the meeting in his honor. The comments were archived and sent to the family as official condolences.

For more about Jackson's life and work, check out this tribute post, which compiles a variety of Jackson's sketches, submitted to readers by Hoodline. 

Update, Jan. 15th: Bastian told us White entered a not guilty plea, and will go back to court on Jan. 21st to set a future court date; a preliminary hearing could be set at that time. Bail is still set at $400,000 and White remains in custody.

Also, SFPD spokesperson Albie Esparza told us this morning that the photos and video released by the media led to White's arrest. "When that went out, many people contacted us with information that led to his identity," he said. "The homicide team conducted an investigation and collected evidence, and subsequently did a search warrant." Officers from the Southern station arrested Mr. White at his residence, Esparza added, but he didn't have information on which neighborhood White lives in.