A parishioner was stabbed outside the Saints Peter & Paul Church in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood on Sunday, according to police. This violent episode unfolded after a homeless individual, who witnesses claim was "yelling and being rude," entered the church and was subsequently escorted outside by church members. The incident occurred shortly after 1 p.m. on Filbert Street.
Following the altercation on the sidewalk, a churchgoer suffered a stab wound. Police arrested the suspect in connection with the assault, Supervisor Aaron Peskin confirmed, SF Gate reported. The victim was in stable condition at a local hospital. Witnesses shared that a homeless man disrupted the Italian Mass before being removed, leading up to the attack.
This is not the first act of violence to occur at the notable church in recent times. Back in late October, a Concord man attacked another churchgoer during Communion and caused a dramatic police chase across the Bay Bridge while tossing explosive devices from his car. The man, identified as 42-year-old Daniel Garcia, was convicted last month and is facing sentencing tomorrow, which could result in up to 14 years in prison, according to SFist.
San Francisco Police Department spokesperson Robert Rueca stated, "We are unable to confirm that these incidents are related at this time," declining to give further details due to the ongoing investigation. The church, a local landmark that opened in 1924 and is known as the site where Joe DiMaggio married actress Dorothy Arnold.