San Francisco’s West Portal neighborhood was rocked by tragedy this week as a father was fatally stabbed while walking his 8-year-old son home from school, an incident that has sent shockwaves through the city and reignited conversations about public safety, community grief, and the resilience of local families.
On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at precisely 4:38 p.m., 35-year-old Robert Paul Byrd II was crossing the intersection of Junipero Serra Boulevard and Ocean Avenue, just steps from Commodore Sloat Elementary School, when he was attacked. According to the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), Byrd was holding his young son’s hand after picking him up from school when an altercation erupted with a stranger. In a matter of moments, Byrd was fatally stabbed in the crosswalk, as his child looked on in horror.
Bystanders rushed to help, and numerous witnesses immediately called 911. One dispatcher’s recording, cited by Patch, captured the urgency: “Witness calling it in says the victim had a child with him. Elementary school age. Child is safe and with the bystander.” Emergency responders arrived swiftly and transported Byrd to a nearby hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries despite their efforts.
As news of the attack spread, parents, teachers, and community members reeled. The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) confirmed that the incident took place off campus, but Commodore Sloat Elementary was nevertheless placed on lockdown. Superintendent Dr. Maria Su addressed the community, saying, “This was such a horrific, horrific tragedy that, quite frankly, at SFUSD we've never experienced to this level.” She assured parents that the district was providing resources to Byrd’s family and to students affected by the trauma.
The victim’s identity was quickly confirmed by family members and officials. Byrd, described by his father as a devoted parent and “an upstanding citizen,” worked part-time at San Francisco General Hospital. His father, Robert Byrd Sr., spoke to CBS News Bay Area through tears: “He was a good father. He was a good son. And I am gonna miss my baby ... I hurt. I hurt bad. And I just ask God to punish this [suspect].” Byrd’s cousin, Quan Moore, added, “He was a ball of joy, a very joyful person to be around, always laughing. He loved his family, he loved his son, he was a lovable cheerful guy.”
Police immediately launched a citywide manhunt for the suspect, later identified as 42-year-old Daniel Patrick Rodriguez Jr. The investigation quickly became a showcase for modern policing, with officers poring over neighbors’ surveillance footage, deploying drones, and using automated license plate readers to track Rodriguez’s movements. According to The Standard, officers observed Rodriguez fleeing the scene in a vehicle. They also raided his home on Darien Way, where they reportedly found evidence linked to the attack.
By Friday morning, just under 48 hours after the stabbing, Rodriguez was apprehended in Tuolumne County, more than 160 miles east of San Francisco. The arrest was made shortly before 9 a.m., capping a relentless effort by law enforcement. Interim SFPD Chief Paul Yep praised the work of his team, noting that over 60 officers had worked around the clock to bring Rodriguez into custody. “The homicide was horrific,” Yep told reporters at a news conference. “A father who was walking across the street with his son was fatally stabbed in the crosswalk after getting into an altercation with the suspect. Our hearts go out to the victim and his family in this case. We did everything we can to ensure justice is served.”
At a press conference announcing the arrest, Mayor Daniel Lurie addressed the shaken city. “As your mayor, public safety is my highest priority. Families must feel safe walking their kids to and from school,” he said. Lurie emphasized that there was no imminent threat to the public, adding, “When serious crimes occur, our city will respond swiftly using every tool at our disposal to support investigations and keep our communities safe.” He also acknowledged the pain left in the wake of violence: “Any time violence takes a life, it leaves pain that is hard to put into words.”
The investigation has raised questions about motive and the relationship between the victim and the suspect. Authorities have stated that Byrd and Rodriguez did not know each other prior to the attack. Taraval Station Captain Clayton Harmston described the stabbing as “a random act,” explaining that an altercation occurred between the two men, but no prior connection was found. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, who is leading the prosecutorial review, said, “We do ask for your patience in allowing us to review all of the evidence that still needs to be collected. We do still have outstanding witness interviews that need to happen so that we can make a comprehensive decision about what to do going forward.” Jenkins also reassured the public: “I too have small children, and I understand what so many parents in our city are probably feeling right now. I do want to reassure the public … this was not a random act of violence by somebody just walking up.”
The reverberations of the attack have been deeply felt at Commodore Sloat Elementary and throughout the surrounding community. The school’s staff sent a message to parents confirming that Byrd was a parent in their school community and expressing their grief. Heightened safety protocols were put in place, including a single point of entry onto campus, and Superintendent Su indicated these would remain through Friday, September 12, before being lifted. “Our schools are safer havens where our students can learn, play, and thrive,” Su said. “Safety is our No. 1 priority.”
Statistically, violent crime in San Francisco has been on the decline. According to SFPD data shared by Interim Chief Yep, the city’s homicide rate in 2024 was the lowest since 1960. Byrd’s death marks the 17th homicide in San Francisco in 2025, compared with 24 at this point last year. Yet, as this week’s events demonstrate, even a single act of violence can shake a community’s sense of security.
The investigation into the stabbing remains ongoing. Police have not publicly identified a motive, nor have they explained why Rodriguez was in Tuolumne County at the time of his arrest. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the case to contact the SFPD tip line at 415-575-4444 or to send a tip by text to TIP411, beginning the message with “SFPD.”
As San Francisco mourns the loss of Robert Paul Byrd II, the city’s leaders, educators, and residents are left to grapple with the aftermath, supporting one another and striving to restore a sense of safety and community for all—especially the youngest among them, who witnessed a tragedy no child should ever have to endure.
