A 20-year-old San Francisco sex worker has been charged with second-degree murder following a fatal encounter at Crissy Field, as reported by SFist. The accused, Leion Butler, was detained on November 22 after being linked to the victim, Hamza Walupupu, 32, through surveillance footage from the federal recreation area near the crime scene. Butler, who is transgender, claims the shooting was an act of self-defense sparked by a dispute after she refused to return money paid for a sexual encounter after disclosing her gender identity.
Walupupu's body was discovered on November 12 in the federally-owned Presidio, giving the case federal jurisdiction. The conflict occurred when he demanded a refund after finding out Butler was transgender, the Chronicle detailed. Federal prosecutors allege Butler killed Walupupu after being refused transportation back and "did not want to walk home in the cold." In addition, after an alleged assault on an officer during a Pride event in June, Butler's criminal record was highlighted in the prosecution's filing as further evidence of potential danger to the community and risk of flight.
Following the discovery of Walupupu's body, the investigation led to the identification and arrest of Butler, who also faced previous charges of aiding and abetting a murder. The surveillance footage from the crime scene played a pivotal role, according to the Office of the United States Attorney, which showed Butler at the scene and later engaging in suspicious activity with the victim's vehicle and an unidentified second car in Hunters Point.
The U.S. Attorney's Office stated, "The criminal complaint describes how investigators obtained additional surveillance footage from cameras near where the victim’s car was found." It captured Butler parking the victim’s car, and wiping it down with "a clothing item or towel." Investigators say the detailed surveillance videos led them to the suspect, who was already known to law enforcement.
Butler was taken into custody on November 20 and will remain in federal detention, with charges of murder that could result in a life sentence or the death penalty, making this the city's 50th homicide of the year. Additionally, complaints regarding Butler being held in an all-male facility despite identifying as female have surfaced, complicating the legal and human rights narrative surrounding the case. Butler has pleaded not guilty, and the next court appearance is set for further discussions on detention.
