83-year-old woman killed in early-morning SoMa attack [Updated]

83-year-old woman killed in early-morning SoMa attack [Updated]800 block of Howard Street. | Photo: Google Maps
Nathan Falstreau
Published on September 26, 2018

An 83-year-old woman was killed with a knife in the South of Market neighborhood just after midnight this morning, according to police. 

The incident occurred on the 800 block of Howard Street (between Fourth and Fifth streets). Police responded to the scene at approximately 12:25 a.m. 

Upon arrival, officers identified a 30-year-old male suspect and took him into custody for his alleged connection to the homicide. 

SFPD spokesperson Officer Grace Gatpandan told the Examiner that the suspect "is being medically evaluated" and has not yet been booked into the SF County Jail. 

No other details, including the suspect's identity, have been released by police, pending an investigation. The Medical Examiner's Office has not yet released the identity of the victim. 

This is a developing story and will be updated. 

[Update, 4:50 p.m.] Officer Grace Gatpandan said that police initially responded to the 800 block of Howard Street to perform a welfare check on an adult man and a woman. Upon arrival, they discovered the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The male suspect was transported to an area hospital for unknown medical evaluation. During the course of an investigation, police learned that the suspect is a family member of the victim. It's not clear if the suspect has been booked into the County Jail at this time, as no booking photo was available. 


Anyone who has information about any of these incidents is encouraged to contact SFPD via the department's anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444, or text TIP411 with "SFPD" at the start of the message.

Here’s why we usually don’t include suspect descriptions in crime reports.