Police arrest suspect accused of attacking veteran San Francisco commissioner
SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco police have arrested a man they say is responsible for attacking 70-year-old Gregory Chew, San Francisco's long-time commissioner.
Police say on Tuesday at approximately 7:30 p.m., Chew was walking to his SOMA home when he was approached by a man, attacked and beaten. Chew had served on the city's arts, film and immigrant rights commissions.
"Incidents like this, especially where an elderly resident is attacked without provocation, without apparent reason or intent, those kind of tend to shake the conscience of people," said Kathryn Winters, spokeswoman for the San Francisco Police Department.
On Sunday, police say they arrested 34-year-old San Francisco resident Derrick Yearby in connection with the attack.
"One of our officers had seen one of the photos that we had put out to try and identify the suspect. He was out on patrol. He saw someone who matched the suspect’s description," Winters said. "Doing good police work, paying attention to our internal crime bulletins, he was able to detain and arrest the suspect."
Yearby was booked in San Francisco County jail on charges of aggravated battery causing serious bodily injury, assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, elder abuse, and great bodily injury enhancement.
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The San Francisco Police Department says the investigation is still ongoing.
They did not say what may have motivated the attack.
"Investigators will be attempting to interview the suspect and see if they can determine whether or not race or bias was a factor in the attack," said Winters.
San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey weighed in on the arrest.
"This kind of senseless violence, [against] someone who is a 70-year-old man, a long time dedicated public servant, long time city commissioner, and AAPI community leader, this can’t go on in San Francisco," Dorsey said. " And I think it’s very important that those of us who are in leadership positions, when there is an arrest, we need to make sure that everyone knows that there is an arrest, because ultimately that’s what is going to send the message to people who are contemplating committing these crimes, that you will be caught and prosecuted if you do it in San Francisco."
Coincidentally on Sunday, more than 100 people gathered in San Francisco's Washington Square Park to "fight Asian hate" in light of recent attacks against members of the AAPI community.
Anybody with information on the attack is asked to contact San Francisco police.