The DA's office declined this week to file murder charges in the January 5 killing of 32-year-old Emma Hunt in the Tenderloin.
Two suspects, a 17-year-old juvenile and 18-year-old Kevin Lopez-Figueroa were arrested last Friday and remain in custody on gun charges. The incident remains under investigation, as the DA's office tells the Chronicle, but signs point to possible self-defense after witnesses describe Hunt acting in a threatening manner, possibly holding a knife, and "swinging a crate" prior to her being shot at 4 a.m. on January 5.
Hunt is a mother of two small children who, according to family members, had recently been struggling with drug addiction. Originally from Ethiopia, Hunt was adopted by a family in San Joaquin County, where she spent some of her youth.
Hunt's killing, near the intersection of O’Farrell and Larkin streets, was San Francisco's first homicide of the new year. On Monday, Supervisors Matt Haney, in whose district the slaying occurred, and Supervisor Shamann Walton held a press event to "bring attention to the violence that disproportionately affects women of color."
This morning with Supervisor Haney and Black women leaders highlighting the fact that we need to do more to protect our women from violence. All deaths and homicides in SF are tragic, but we must bring attention to the violence that disproportionately affects women of color! pic.twitter.com/YSRts9u6T1
— Shamann Walton (@shamannwalton) January 13, 2020
As DA's office spokesperson Alex Bastian tells the Chronicle, "The people have the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant did not act in lawful self-defense." It remains to be seen what if any other charges the two defendants may face.
Related: First SF Homicide Victim of 2020 Is Woman in the Tenderloin
Image: Google
