SF police search for MAGA hat-wearing man who allegedly sliced victim's hand with sword

SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - San Francisco police are searching for a man who allegedly partially severed another man's hand with a sword while wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat Friday night outside of a popular skating rink in the city’s Western Addition. 

The victim was sliced on the hand with the sword around 9:50 p.m. after allegedly flipping the suspect’s hat off outside the Church of 8 Wheels, officials said. 

Police originally said the victim was wearing “MAGA” hat, which has become universally linked to being a President Trump supporter, but revised their statement Sunday to say it was actually the suspect who was wearing the hat, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

“I can’t speak to the discrepancy in the information,” said Officer Robert Rueca, a police spokesman, per the Chronicle. “There was a lot of information being put out there that we were still looking to confirm so that may have led to the confusion.”

Police said they are still investigating what led to the altercation. Investigators have spoken with witnesses and are searching for surveillance footage. They confirmed that the hat came off of the suspect during the incident. A photo of the hat lying on the sidewalk was shared widely on social media Sunday. 

As of Monday, police have not made an arrest in this case. The suspect is only described as being in his 30s. Police said on Monday that the victim was taken to a hospital for his life-threatening hand injury. 

Police are asking anyone with information about the attack to call investigators at 415-575-4444.

This story originally reported the victim's injury was not life threatening. We have updated to reflect the latest information. 

Bay City News contributed to this report.