A jury has found 24-year-old Debari Augustine guilty of attempted murder and felony assault stemming from a 2024 shooting at St. Augustine Catholic Church in South San Francisco, about two years and nine months after gunfire tore through the building's entrance following a funeral service.
San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe confirmed the jury's verdict, according to the San Mateo Daily Journal, which reported that the jury found Augustine guilty of attempted murder and felony assault. Augustine, who the paper reports resides in Antioch, had also been charged with shooting at an inhabited building, felony vandalism of religious property, possession of an assault weapon, and attempted murder with premeditation.
Gunfire Erupted After a Funeral
The shooting happened on Jan. 30, 2024, when Augustine approached St. Augustine Catholic Church and fired multiple shots into the locked front doors, shattering glass; bullet holes were found in several surrounding windows, the Daily Journal's earlier reporting states. A home surveillance camera nearby captured audio of 18 shots fired just before 1:30 p.m. that day, according to KTVU FOX 2.
Accounts of whether anyone was inside the church at the time differ. The Daily Journal reported that two parishioners were locked inside, while KTVU reported that police said no one was inside during the shooting. CBS reported that the Archdiocese also said no one was inside. No injuries were reported.
Augustine was taken into custody following a standoff at a home in San Francisco's Hunters Point neighborhood and was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, shooting into a dwelling, and possession of an assault weapon, according to The San Francisco Standard. In the shooting's immediate aftermath, the parish canceled Wednesday mass and that week's catechism classes, per the same KTVU account, while CBS San Francisco reported that police had advised the church against holding any in-person services and recommended closing the parish office at least through that Wednesday while the damage was assessed.
A Detour Through Mental Health Diversion Court
Before the case reached a jury, Augustine was found eligible for mental health diversion court, the Daily Journal reported in earlier coverage. The case was later tried before a jury, which found him guilty.
Defense attorney Brandon Douglass represents Augustine.
Potential Sentence
Augustine faces around 30 years to life.
Augustine was charged with shooting at an inhabited building and attempted murder.
