SFPD Arrests Suspect for Antisemitic and Homophobic Graffiti on California Street Church

Officers from the San Francisco Police Department arrested 51-year-old Sadat Mousa after discovering swastikas and other antisemitic and homophobic words painted in fresh paint on a church and adjacent city utilities on the 2800 block of California Street. SFPD estimated the damage at more than $20,000 and opened the case under SFPD CASE #260-115-376.

SFPD said officers responded to the scene at approximately 8:45 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, and found the graffiti on church buildings and nearby city-owned infrastructure. The department described the markings as hate-motivated vandalism and identified the paint as recent. Chief Derrick Lew, in an SFPD statement, said, "This kind of hateful act will never be tolerated in our city. We will do everything in our power to protect our communities and ensure justice is served in this case. I want to thank our officers who acted swiftly to make an arrest in this case."

According to SFPD materials, officers located a suspect later that Saturday afternoon, established probable cause and placed him under arrest. Authorities booked Mousa in the San Francisco County Jail on multiple charges, including felony vandalism with a hate crime enhancement. San Francisco Sheriff’s Office jail records cited by KTVU show Mousa is being held without bail.

SFPD described the investigation as open and active and asked anyone with information to contact the department. Tips can be phoned to 1-415-575-4444 or sent via Text-A-Tip to TIP411, beginning the message with "SFPD." The department’s public directory in its release also lists emergency and non-emergency contacts and district numbers, including non-emergency 1-415-553-0123 and headquarters at 1245 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, general phone 1-415-837-7000.

While this arrest centers on the California Street incident, recent reporting has shown SFPD has pursued other graffiti and vandalism cases across neighborhoods, with separate past arrests in the Mission District documented by local outlets. In this matter, however, the department limited official comment to the facts of the scene, the arrest and the ongoing inquiry. Prosecutors and court filings will determine whether the hate crime enhancement remains part of the formal charges as the case proceeds through San Francisco courts.