San Francisco, CA – A California father was stabbed to death in broad daylight while holding his 8-year-old son’s hand moments after picking him up from school, shocking the local community. Police have apprehended a suspect in connection with the fatal attack.
Incident Details
The victim, Robert Byrd II, was attacked on Wednesday near Commodore Sloat Elementary School in San Francisco shortly after completing school pickup for his son. Police say Byrd became involved in an argument with another man, which escalated into the stabbing.
“A father who was walking across the street with his son was fatally stabbed in the crosswalk after getting into an altercation with the suspect,” said San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) interim Chief Paul Yep.
Witnesses reported hearing a commotion and saw the perpetrator stab Byrd before fleeing the scene.
Suspect Apprehension
Authorities have not released the suspect’s name or motive but confirmed he was a local resident. Using a combination of license plate readers, surveillance cameras, drone footage, and eyewitness accounts, police tracked the suspect to Tuolumne County and safely arrested him over the weekend.
“Many of our officers haven’t slept in a couple days,” said SFPD official Thomas Maguire. “With community cooperation and a major deployment of police personnel, we were able to follow leads that led us to the arrest.”
Community Impact
Byrd’s death has been described as particularly disturbing to parents, students, and staff of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). Superintendent Maria Su called it a “horrific tragedy” unprecedented at SFUSD.
“A kid shouldn’t lose his father,” said resident Trish Lethin. “But then to have to see him die or be with him when he is dying, that is not okay.”
Parents and community members remembered Byrd as a devoted father who always waited for his son at school, offering a friendly smile to families. The school’s Parent Club Organization highlighted that Byrd’s greatest love was his son, who was holding his hand during the attack. They launched a GoFundMe to support Byrd’s family.
Parent Teresa Agustin shared on Facebook:
“When I would pick my son up from school, Byrd was always there early waiting for his own son. He offered a welcoming smile and I’ve always waved back.”
Investigation and Charges
Local prosecutors are reviewing evidence to determine what charges will be filed against the suspect. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins stated that her office will announce charges in the coming days:
“We ask for your patience in allowing us to review all of the evidence that still needs to be collected as well as what has already been collected. Outstanding witness interviews still need to happen so that we can make a comprehensive decision going forward.”
Next Steps for the Community
Authorities continue to encourage anyone with additional information or video evidence of the incident to come forward. Police are also working with SFUSD to provide support to students, families, and staff affected by this tragedy.
Share your thoughts on this heartbreaking incident in the comments below and stay updated with the latest community news.
