Good Samaritan stabbed with box cutter on SF Muni bus after protecting women from harasser: DA
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A 44-year-old man pleaded not guilty Monday after San Francisco prosecutors charged him in connection with the stabbing of a passenger aboard a Muni bus.
The San Francisco District Attorney's Office sought to have the suspect detained in county jail.
He was arraigned Monday afternoon and charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon committed against a public transit passenger and great bodily injury. The stabbing happened Wednesday, September 23, aboard a San Francisco Muni bus.
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Cameras inside the bus recorded the attack, and the District Attorney's Office plans to use the footage as evidence in the case.
"There were two female passengers who were riding on the bus who felt that Mr. Hopkins was being inappropriate with them. When a good Samaritan, the victim in this case, attempted to intervene, he was stabbed multiple times," District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said.
According to the District Attorney's Office, the suspect used a box cutter to stab the good Samaritan who confronted him.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency praised the Muni operator's response to the attack.
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SFMTA said every Muni operator has a silent alarm that sends the vehicle's exact location to the San Francisco Police Department. The victim is recovering, according to the District Attorney's Office.
The suspect's next court hearing is scheduled for October 8.
Full SFMTA Statement:
"Violence of any kind has no place on Muni or in our city. The safety of our customers, operators, and service is our absolute highest priority. Our thoughts are with the victim and their loved ones as we wish them a full and speedy recovery.
We are incredibly grateful for the swift and courageous actions of our Muni operator, who followed protocol immediately, helping secure the vehicle and protect other passengers. We also thank District Attorney Jenkins and the San Francisco Police Department for their rapid response and partnership to bring justice forward and keep our city safe. Crime is down citywide and on Muni, and we will continue working closely with our public safety partners on these efforts."
