Former San Francisco Official Accused of Violence Against Homeless and Others

The suspect accused of attacking a former San Francisco fire department official with a metal pipe was released from custody and is to appear in court for a preliminary hearing in late May. The suspect's public defender claims her client was protecting himself from the former fire official, who she says has targeted several homeless people with bear spray, including the suspect. The public defender also released surveillance video that she said showed the former fire official attacking the suspect with bear spray minutes before the attack with the metal pipe. The incident has raised questions about the former fire official's alleged pattern of attacking homeless people with bear spray, which he denies.