Man reportedly harasses teen’s party at SF’s Ocean Beach, breaks woman’s nose with soda can

The San Francisco Police Department responded to the incident on the beach near Taraval Street at 3 p.m. and arrested a suspect. 

The three women and two teenage girls in the group noticed the man sitting about 30 feet away from them as they were having their picnic, Pillai said.

“When we saw him approaching, we were uncertain what to do,” she said. “He came closer and then started spewing whatever gibberish he was speaking with foul words in between.”

They ignored him, hoping he would go away, but instead he lunged forward and grabbed a box of cupcakes resting on a cooler, Pillai said.

When one of the mothers responded by saying, “That’s fine, you can take that, now please go,” Pillai said he “flew off the handle.”

“He mouthed some stuff at her and then swept the stuff off the cooler and then kicked everything off the cooler,” she said. 

The man grabbed an unopened soda can from the cooler and threw it at the group of women, Pillai said. 

“The weight of it and the force with which he threw it, it was shocking,” she said. “He drew his arm back as hard as he could so the force with which that can came at her was tremendous.”

Pillai said her friend staggered a few steps and collapsed on the sand from the shock and excruciating pain.

The San Francisco Police Department said the attack “appears unprovoked.” 

While an arrest was made, the department said the investigation remains open and anyone with information can call the tip line at (415) 575-4444 or test a tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.  

Pillai shared a thread about the incident on Twitter and it has stirred a conversation about safety in the city and the need for better mental health services. 

“Our friend, in addition to her horrible injuries, will be stuck with co-pays and various medical expenses,” Pillai wrote in her post. “Hats off to the @SFPD, SF Park police, and EMTs with @SFFD, who were incredibly professional, competent and kind. But, San  Francisco. What the bloody hell?!!! We were utterly powerless. When will this city act on mental health conservatorship so this man and others like him don’t wander around, injuring themselves and others?”