A woman has been hit with serious charges in a shockingly unprovoked attack on a 71-year-old woman in San Francisco's Bayview neighborhood. The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office said Thea Hopkins, 43, stands accused of brutally assaulting a vulnerable elderly Cantonese-speaking local on March 4, according to a press release.
Hopkins, who pleaded not guilty during her arraignment on March 7, faces charges of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury and elder abuse, district attorney Brooke Jenkins stated. The elderly victim, traversing her regular path along the 1000 block of Gilman Avenue, was allegedly pounced upon from behind before Hopkins seized her hair, laid into her with punches, and thrust her groundwards, all without a hint of provocation.
"Everyone should be able to walk around our city freely without fear of being viciously attacked," Jenkins firmly stated. In a measure to protect the public, the prosecutor's office has recommended Hopkins' detention pending the trial and has successfully argued for bail set at $15,000. The court will revisit the motion to detain at Hopkins' preliminary hearing, slated for March 20.
As the investigation into the heinous act continues, authorities urge anyone holding information to step forward. Tips can be anonymously given by calling the SFPD Tip Line or texting TIP411, starting the message with SFPD. While Hopkins has asserted her innocence, if convicted the charges against her threaten to carry a substantial sentence.
