San Francisco DA Lets Father’s Day Waterfront Shootout Suspect Walk

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said Friday she doesn’t have enough evidence to charge a suspect arrested for the Father’s Day shootout that left six people injured.

Police said Tuesday they had arrested Lee Alexander Haywood, 33, in connection with the rolling gun battle down the Embarcadero near the popular Pier 39 — but Jenkins admitted her office was unable to charge him. 

"This is a complex investigation involving multiple crime scene locations, many witnesses as well as significant evidence that must be analyzed,” she said in a statement to the Messenger. "This type of investigation takes time to complete and we are working with SFPD to ensure that they gather all relevant evidence that we need to evaluate this case and make appropriate charging decisions.”

Jenkins called the shootout "shocking" and said it "must be carefully investigated to ensure that we are able to hold the perpetrators accountable."

Police described the incident as a “car-to-car” shooting, and Haywood, who was shot during the incident, was the only person involved who was later apprehended. Jenkins could still charge him if she finds relevant evidence. 

Haywood already had a warrant out for his arrest in Contra Costa County for alleged cocaine possession and having an unlicensed handgun.

Violent crime has risen in the 11 months since Jenkins took office after then-DA Chesa Boudin was recalled for not being tough enough on crime.

Jenkins was a prosecutor in the DA’s office before publicly quitting in 2021 to support the recall movement. She blamed her reform-minded boss Boudin directly for rising crime and even said his policies were getting people killed.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed appointed her to fill Boudin's role in July 2022 after he was successfully recalled. Jenkins was then elected in November with almost 54% of the vote.

Still, despite her more aggressive prosecution of crimes, violent crimes rose 5.5% percent during her tenure, with robberies rising by 12%.