In the vibrant Castro neighborhood of San Francisco, two unlikely heroes emerged last week in an incident that could only be described as surreal. On a sunny July morning, Pete Sferra from San Jose and Lloyd Fishback from San Francisco, known for their penchant for nudity, were enjoying a casual stroll on the streets.
However, this ordinary day took a dramatic turn when the pair noticed a man who appeared to be a 'pirate guy' menacing a tourist with a blowtorch. Without a moment's hesitation, the nudists sprang into action. Nearby witnesses captured the event on video, showcasing how an onlooker first snatched the blowtorch from the attacker just as he began assaulting the tourist.
Petros Fanourgiakis, the owner of Aegean Delights, vividly recounted the shocking scene: "The attacker was threatening to burn the tourist’s face." But heroics were at hand. "My buddy Lloyd, a normally quiet and respectful guy, didn't waste any time and nailed the guy with a right hook," Sferra proudly recalled. The attacker faltered, but Fishback made sure to administer a follow-up smack, ensuring the man walked away.
For Sferra and Fishback, this incident was less about heroism and more about civic duty. Sferra emphasized that Fishback was the true hero of the day, and as numerous people dialed 911, they hoped for a swift police response. Fishback, valuing his privacy, chose not to speak about the event.
The San Francisco Police Department later identified the suspect as 38-year-old Zero Triball, now facing charges for assault with a deadly weapon. Triball, a thorn in the side of local businesses for years, remains in custody at the county jail. Terry Asten Bennett, president of the Castro Merchants Association, stated, "He’s a known problem in the neighborhood. He’s erratic and violent." Triball's troubling history includes shouting at employees and throwing items inside Cliffs Variety, Bennett's store. Triball even threatened to burn down the Castro Country Club and kill its executive director when they tried to offer him help.
"It’s completely unfair to a community when one person can hold it hostage," Bennett said, echoing the frustrations of many in the area. Supervisor Rafael Mandelman also shared his concerns, highlighting that business owners were justified in their anger. "In my view, he’s a guy who’ll continue committing medium violent crimes," Mandelman remarked, adding that a conservatorship might be appropriate for Triball. Mandelman had previously advocated for such measures yet faced the systemic challenges of expanding conservatorship authority.
While the tourist, believed to be a Brazilian man named Leo, remains unidentified, his ordeal underscores the disturbing encounters that visitors to the neighborhood can face. For nudists like Sferra and Fishback, incidents like these tarnish the vibrancy and spirit of the community they cherish. "I hate seeing tourists experience that kind of stuff," Sferra lamented. Their goal has always been to normalize nudity in the famed LGBTQ+ district while contributing positively to the local fabric.
"Over the years, we’ve tried to show the neighborhood that we’re regular people—we just have a relaxed idea of what we’re supposed to wear," Sferra said, hoping for broader acceptance. The poignant narrative of two naked men coming to the rescue in a moment of crisis serves as a testament to the unpredictable and colorful essence of the Castro.