S.F. Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal Mission District Shooting

Authorities apprehended Evan Perez Villanueva, who is accused of killing a 38-year-old victim.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 12:55pm by Ben Kaplan

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

San Francisco police have arrested a 38-year-old man named Evan Perez Villanueva in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred in the city's Mission District on January 15. Officers responded to the scene around 9:40 p.m. near the intersection of 16th Street and San Bruno Avenue, but were unable to save the victim. After an investigation, police obtained warrants to arrest Perez Villanueva and search his vehicle, which led to the recovery of a shotgun and his apprehension without incident.

Why it matters

Gun violence and homicides remain a persistent concern in San Francisco's Mission District, which has historically experienced higher rates of crime compared to other neighborhoods in the city. This arrest is part of the police department's ongoing efforts to address public safety issues in the area.

The details

According to police, the fatal shooting took place around 9:40 p.m. on January 15 near the intersection of 16th Street and San Bruno Avenue in the Mission District. Officers and paramedics responded to the scene but were unable to save the victim, whose age, name, and gender were not released. Investigators later identified Evan Perez Villanueva as the suspect and obtained warrants for his arrest and a search of his vehicle. On Monday, police spotted Perez Villanueva getting into a car associated with him on San Bruno near 15th Street and arrested him without incident. A search of the vehicle turned up a shotgun, which was seized by authorities.

  • The shooting occurred around 9:40 p.m. on January 15, 2026.
  • Police arrested Evan Perez Villanueva on Monday, January 27, 2026.

The players

Evan Perez Villanueva

A 38-year-old man who was arrested by San Francisco police and booked into jail on suspicion of murder in connection with the fatal shooting in the Mission District.

San Francisco Police Department

The law enforcement agency that investigated the fatal shooting, identified Perez Villanueva as the suspect, obtained warrants for his arrest and a search of his vehicle, and apprehended him without incident.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The district attorney's office will review the case and determine whether to file formal charges against Perez Villanueva.

The takeaway

This arrest highlights the ongoing challenges San Francisco faces in addressing gun violence and homicides, particularly in neighborhoods like the Mission District that have historically experienced higher crime rates. The police department's ability to quickly identify and apprehend the suspect in this case demonstrates their commitment to public safety, though broader solutions to reduce violence in the city remain elusive.