San Francisco police investigating fatal Tenderloin shooting, suspect in custody
Heartbroken mother speaks out after son gunned down near Market Street
A grieving mother is speaking out after her 27-year-old son was shot and killed in broad daylight near San Francisco’s Market Street Monday.
SAN FRANCISCO - Officers in San Francisco responded to the scene of a fatal shooting where at least one person died early Monday evening. Police say a suspect is in custody.
San Francisco Police Department Officer Robert Rueca told KTVU officers responded just before 5:30 p.m. to a shooting at Turk and Mason streets in the city's Tenderloin District.
He said the officers located a victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. In an update just before 7 p.m., police said, despite the life-saving efforts of first responders, that the victim was declared dead.
SFPD confirmed on Tuesday that a suspect in the shooting, 23-year-old Lewis Jefferson Butler was arrested and booked into San Francisco County Jail. Butler faces charges of homicide, felon in posesson of a firearm, battery on a peace officer, and resisting arrest, according to police. Police say Butler also has an outstanding warrant from Alameda County.
No additional information about the victim has been released by authorities.
A mother's heartbreak
However, the victim’s mother identified him as 27-year-old Leaotis.
"My baby over there laying on the ground, my baby graduated...he the only one check on me every day," the mother, Ms. Martin, said through tears.
"I see my baby two days ago and I tried to tell him to stay inside, and when I asleep, he left the house," she added.
Ms. Martin sat near the crime scene, surrounded by family and loved ones.
"He have a daughter. She only 7 or 8 and he loved his mama and he was a good kid. He was very smart, he knew everything about the Bible, so that’s why I know God got my son," she added.
Witnesses speak out
Police said the body was found outside Diya, an Indian restaurant. A worker there told KTVU the victim was not a customer and noted that people frequently gather outside the location.
Employees at the adjacent public parking lot said they heard the gunfire while assisting customers.
"Since we were working the parking lot, we were just taking some customers, and taking some calls and then we just hear this one shot all of sudden," said a worker who did not want to be identified.
The homicide investigation is ongoing. It is not clear what led up to the violence.
Police said the suspect was taken into custody shortly after the shooting. Our cameras captured police arresting a suspect.
Shortly after the shooting, witnesses said a suspect ran into The Warfield nearby through a side entrance, where crews were unloading equipment for a show. Police later detained someone at the scene, though they have not confirmed whether that person is the suspected gunman.
Family members were visibly distraught as the individual was placed in a police van.
The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management alerted residents just before 6 p.m. to avoid the area as emergency crews were at the scene.
Tenderloin has work to do
District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, who represents the Tenderloin and lives in the neighborhood, was at the homicide crime scene.
"As a resident of this neighborhood, we wanted to make sure the community felt safe," Mahmood said. Mahmood said the family members of the victim, whom he spoke with, were distraught.
He said the mayor, SFPD and the Board of Supervisors are prioritizing public safety, but today's fatal shooting shows, "We're not out of the woods yet. We still have work to do," Mahmood said.
"We have to continue to ensure that we have a fully staffed police department," Mahmood said. "We're still 500 officers short."
He said the city is working to fill that deficit to ensure that residents feel safe.
This is the 5th homicide in San Francisco in 2025.
