SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A church in San Francisco’s Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood was vandalized Saturday with antisemitic and homophobic graffiti, police said.
Sadat Mousa, 51, was arrested in connection with the attack on Central Seventh-day Adventist Church at California Street and Broderick Street. Damage was estimated at more than $20,000, police said.
Officers responded about 8:45 a.m. to a report of swastikas and other graffiti in fresh paint on the church building and city utilities in the 2800 block of California Street, police said.
The church’s pastor, Mark Ferrell, said he didn’t see a link between the incident and Saturday’s strikes against Iran by the U.S. and Israel.
“Personally, I don’t think it was directed so much at the church,” Ferrell said Saturday night. “There’s a lot of high emotions right now in a lot of people. It’s not just what happened today in Iran.”
Mousa was booked in San Francisco County Jail on multiple accusations including felony vandalism with a hate crime enhancement.
“This kind of hateful act will never be tolerated in our city,” Police Chief Derrick Lew said on social media. “We will do everything in our power to protect our communities and ensure justice is served in this case.”
While an arrest has been made, the case remains open and active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the SFPD at (415) 575-4444 or Text-A-Tip to TIP411, beginning your message with SFPD.
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