San Francisco police search for suspect in brutal Mother's Day beating

SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - San Francisco police say a woman in her late seventies is in critical condition, after she was attacked soon after exiting a MUNI bus in Chinatown on Mother's Day.

"She was assaulted by a black female, and struck in the head twice," said police spokeswoman Officer Grace Gatpandan. "We believe a Good Samaritan came in contact with the victim and helped her sit and recover at the scene until she was able to walk home."

Police say three days after the assault the woman's family found her unconscious at home.

Officers say family members called 911 and their loved one was taken to the hospital where she remained in critical condition on Wednesday.

"This is a severe assault," said a family friend.

SFPD says it wasn't notified about the attack until the elderly woman's family called the department on Sunday.

Police say they don't know what bus line she was on prior to the attack.

Officer Gatpandan said the woman often traveled from her home in Chinatown to Japantown and back. She says she could have been on the 2 Clement, 3 Jackson, 30 Stockton, or 45/Union Stockton - all lines she's taken. "The key is we really need to talk to that Good Samaritan that helped her off the bus because he might have witnessed the incident," said Gatpandan. "Or having any other witnesses that were present on the bus could help narrow the search."

SFMTA says it's looking through surveillance video from cameras on buses that run the four different lines.

If the attack was captured on camera SFMTA says it will be handed over to police.

The motive for the assault remains under investigation.

Investigators have released photographs of the victim in hopes that anyone who recalls seeing her or has information on this case reaches out to police.

The victim's granddaughter, Connie posted on Facebook the following message: "My grandma is now in a coma in ICU and will never regain consciousness to see her family again. She is leaving our family very soon and I ask of your help to come forward if you or anyone you may know that witnesses this."

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about the suspect or the Good Samaritan, should also contact investigators and may do so via an email to San Francisco police Sgt. Trevor Kelly at Trevor.Kelly@sfgov.org, or via the Anonymous Tip Line at (415) 575-4444 or Text-A-Tip to TIP411 and include "SFPD" at the beginning of the message.