San Francisco violence erupts in four neighborhoods

Three victims fighting for their lives

By Tamara Barak

June 26, 2007

Violence erupted in four San Francisco neighborhoods Monday, leaving three people fighting for their lives and police searching for clues.

At 2 a.m. Monday, police say a man standing at the busy corner of 18th and Castro streets hailed what he thought was a cab. While one man drove, a second man sat in the back seat with the victim. Police said the second suspect suddenly punched the victim and robbed him of his property.

The man was then let out of the car, and the alleged robbers drove off. The victim was not seriously injured.

At 4:15 p.m., police again responded to a violent robbery - this time in lower Nob Hill. Authorities reported that the male victim was approached by a pair of men, who began arguing with him. One of the suspects then struck the victim in the head with a 2-foot-by-4 foot wooden beam, knocking him unconscious. As the victim was lying on the sidewalk, the pair stole him property, police said.

Officers responded and arrested one of the suspects for robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. The victim was taken to San Francisco General Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

At 8:35 p.m., a passerby walking in Sigmund Stern Grove in the Sunset District found an unconscious man on the ground. The man had no identification and was suffering from head trauma, according to police. He was transported to San Francisco General Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

An hour later, police responded to a drive-by shooting in front of a market in the Bayview District. Witnesses told police that a vehicle drove past Third and Kirkwood streets and shot the male victim, who was standing on the corner. The victim, who was shot several times, was taken to San Francisco General Hospital with life-threatening wounds.

Copyright © 2007 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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