San Francisco, CA–A man was arrested for the alleged assault of an elderly Asian woman in downtown San Francisco on Wednesday, authorities said Thursday.
San Francisco police officers from Tenderloin Station responded, shortly after 10 a.m., to the area of 7th and Market Streets for a report of an aggravated assault. Officers arrived and located two victims, a 75-year-old Asian female, and an 83-year-old Asian male. The victims were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Officers took custody of the suspect who was detained by a nearby security guard. The suspect is identified as 39-year-old Steven Jenkins. Witnesses told officers that Jenkins was involved in a physical altercation in U.N. Plaza approximately 30 minutes prior to the assaults. Following the altercation at U.N. Plaza, Jenkins approached the male victim and assaulted him. The assault was brought to the attention of the security guard who pursued Jenkins on foot. As Jenkins was fleeing, he assaulted the female victim. The security guard was able to detain Jenkins until officers arrived.
Jenkins was transported to a local hospital for an unrelated, prior medical condition. He was later booked at San Francisco County Jail on two charges of assault likely to produce great bodily injury, and two charges of elder abuse.
Officers believe both assaults are believed to have been unprovoked. Investigators are working to determine if racial bias was a motivating factor in the incident.
While an arrest has been made, the case remains open.
