More details have been released in the weekend deaths that sent SF's homicide rate skyrocketing, including the news that one of the slaying suspects worked with children at a San Francisco school.
As previously reported, 30-year-old San Francisco resident Alvaro Palma was shot to death at around 12:30 Sunday morning on the 4200 block of Mission Street just in front of The Oficina, an area bar.
According to the San Francisco Police Department, responding officers "located and detained a possible suspect" at the scene of the crime. After homicide investigators interviewed the suspect, "it was determined this individual was responsible for Palma’s murder," police say.
The suspect has been identified as 44-year-old SF resident David Sanchez, who has been booked into San Francisco County Jail on felony charges of murder, possession of narcotics for sales, and possession of a controlled substance while armed. As of Wednesday morning, a SF Sheriff's Department spokesperson confirms that Sanchez remains in custody.
Then at 1:11 a.m. Monday, police say that they were called to the 1300 block of Treat Avenue, which is between 26th Street and Kamille Court, on reports of a stabbing. When they arrived, they discovered 45-year-old SF resident Aaron Johnson "suffering from a severe stab wound." Johnson was rushed to San Francisco General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Officers who'd responded to the call detained a suspect at the scene: 52-year-old SF resident Lyris Wolfe. Homicide investigators interviewed Wolfe, a discussion police say "determined this individual was responsible for Johnson’s murder."
The Chron reports that Wolfe has worked as a teacher’s aide at the San Francisco School District's Dr. Charles R. Drew Alternative Elementary School for the last 15 years. She has been placed on unpaid leave from her role in the school's early education program, a SFUSD spokesperson confirms.
According to the SFPD, Wolfe has been booked into San Francisco County Jail on felony charges of murder, two counts of assault with deadly weapon, and two counts of threats. As of Wednesday morning,she remains in custody, without bail.
Police say that though arrests have been made in both cases, booking photos of the suspects are being withheld pending discussions with witnesses. Police also ask anyone with information on either case to contact the SFPD anonymously at 415-575-4444 or to Text-a-Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.
Previously: Weekend Deaths Take SF's 2017 Homicide Count To 27