Crime & Safety
Man Accused Of Targeting Castro Resident With Homophobic Slurs, Violence
The incident started when the man spray-painted homophobic slurs on a building in San Francisco's Castro District, authorities said.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A man accused of spray-painting homophobic slurs on a building in San Francisco's Castro District and then assaulting a resident who confronted him in May has been charged with multiple felonies, prosecutors said.
Hans Haken, 39, faces charges including assault with a deadly weapon, assault likely to cause great bodily injury, interference with another's civil liberties, vandalism, hit-and-run and reckless driving. The San Francisco District Attorney's Office on Thursday also alleged the felony assault charges were hate crimes.
According to court documents, the case began on May 16 at 5:27 p.m. near Market and Church streets. Prosecutors alleged Haken used a spray can to write homophobic slurs on a building and paint over a gate camera and intercom.
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The building was tagged with "F***** = GAS CHAMBERS."
A resident who saw the vandalism told Haken to stop. Haken then allegedly yelled at the victim and pushed him several times, prosecutors said.
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When the victim attempted to photograph Haken's license plate, he reversed his Cadillac SUV toward him and onto the curb, forcing the victim to jump back to avoid being struck, prosecutors alleged.
Haken then got out of the vehicle and punched the victim in the jaw. Several witnesses alleged that Haken yelled homophobic slurs during the assault.
Authorities said Haken then sped away east and rear-ended a parked Toyota Prius with enough force to push it into a street pole. A minor who was sitting inside the vehicle suffered minor injuries.
The District Attorney's Office said they wanted Haken held without bail pending trial.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the San Francisco Police Department at (415) 575-4444 or text TIP411 and begin the message with "SFPD."
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