In the past two months, Ocean Avenue and neighborhoods nearby have experienced several fatal incidents, from stabbings to pedestrian deaths. These unexpected tragedies have had residents question their safety and responsibility.
Sept. 10, 2025
On the afternoon on Sept.10, a 35-year-old man named Robert Paul Byrd was walking on Junipero Serra Boulevard and Ocean Avenue with his 8-year-old son, when he started to argue with a man on the sidewalk. According to news reports, Byrd walked into the crosswalk when he was confronted by a man, who allegedly stabbed him.
Weeks after the incident, the intersection is still a memorial to the stabbing victim.
He suffered severe wounds and was taken to the hospital immediately, where he eventually spent his last moments of life. The San Francisco Police Department acted quickly, getting together a search team for the arrest of the man. Within days, he was found and arrested on the scene, four hours away in Tuolumne County.
In a news conference, Interim Police Chief Paul Yep said the scene was “horrific,” explaining how terrible it was to have children present during an attack like this. Across the street is Commodore Sloat Elementary, and their community felt threatened and shocked.
The district sent out letters to all families for support, like counseling for students.
In recent days, neighbors put flowers and candles on the spot of the sidewalk where Byrd was killed in support of his son, who witnessed the event. The suspect was charged with murder and child endangerment and is awaiting trial.
Aug. 2, 2025
On Aug. 2, an 83-year-old man was hit by an oncoming vehicle in the intersection of Ocean and Lee avenues. He was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries and died days later. The driver remained on the scene, and the investigation is continuing.
The crash was noted by traffic safety advocates, such as Walk San Francisco: “It was the city’s eleventh pedestrian death of 2025, and a high number of the victims were older people.”
The intersection is listed in the High Injury Network in San Francisco, pointed towards streets where crashes happen frequently. The city responded by working on the K Ingleside Rapid Project, which reconstructs street layouts, paving crosswalks, and adds speed cameras from Junipero Serra to Balboa BART Station to monitor anyone going over the speed limit.
A pedestrian was killed at the intersection of Ocean and Lee avenues.
One of the cameras was installed on Ocean Avenue and Frida Kahlo Way, close to the site of the incident. Supervisor Myrna
Melgar pushed the Street Safety Act to start San Francisco’s goals and create a safer environment. Members of the community showed empathy for the victim and his family by placing a sign near the fatal crash.
July 26, 2025
On July 26, there was an attack at the Muni station on Ocean Avenue and Lee Street. A 28-year-old man named Colden Kimber was stabbed to death, and the SFPD said it was an “unprovoked” act of violence. His death drew attention to the fact that this happened in a public space, with cameras and witnesses.
According to the district attorney in published reports, Kinder was with his girlfriend, and they were on the platform when they saw a man harassing women.
Kimber confronted the man identified as Sean Collins about his actions, and Collins allegedly fatally stabbed him in the neck with a 6-inch blade. Kimber tried to protect himself, but fell onto the seats in a matter of seconds. Two children witnessed the violent attack, as well as many who were out on that Saturday afternoon.
Someone placed a bouquet of flowers on the bus stop bench where a man lost his life in July.
Collins was arrested shortly, in front of the library a few blocks away. He was later charged with murder, use of a deadly weapon, and child endangerment.
Kimber has been remembered by many, especially the cycling community. Friends and family have created a memorial in honor of Kimber, and a GoFundMe link to raise awareness and support for his family.
“It’s scary going to Ocean every day knowing that these incidents have happened,” said Amisha Shankar ’26. “Even if I’m just trying to get groceries I feel unsafe and feel the need to carry pepper spray, especially as a girl.”
While each tragedy is different, they create an awareness of the weakness in everyday places like sidewalks, intersections, and city
transportation.
In response to these attacks and tragedies, the city has been moving step by step, forced to do more. There have been upgrades to the city so that citizens feel safe and not scared to walk in public, and recent crime statistics note that homicides in San Francisco are on par to be the lowest since the 1950s.
“Walk in groups, keep your head out of your phones and always look around your surroundings and get a sense of who’s around,”
said Viggen Rassam ’87, Riordan’s Director of Safety and Logistics. “If you don’t feel comfortable, go into a store and ask for help.”
