San Francisco Security Guard Charged With Murder Claims Self-Defense

District Attorney disputes guard's account of fatal confrontation in Tenderloin neighborhood.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins has disputed the self-defense claims made by a security guard charged with murder in a fatal confrontation in the city's Tenderloin neighborhood. Jenkins said surveillance footage shows the victim turning to walk away when the security guard, Alatini, shot him in the back.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions around use of force and self-defense claims, especially in urban areas with high levels of crime and security presence. The district attorney's decision to aggressively challenge Alatini's account raises questions about when lethal force is justified.

The details

According to Jenkins, when Alatini returned to the scene, the victim saw that Alatini had a gun and sprayed pepper spray in his direction. The victim then turned and began to walk away, at which point Alatini allegedly shot him in the back. Jenkins said the district attorney's office will rely heavily on surveillance footage to contradict Alatini's self-defense claims, arguing that the victim was attempting to leave the scene when he was shot.

  • On February 25, 2026, the fatal confrontation occurred in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood.
  • On February 26, 2026, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins disputed the security guard's self-defense claims at a press conference.

The players

Brooke Jenkins

The San Francisco District Attorney who is prosecuting the case against the security guard.

Alatini

The security guard charged with murder in the fatal confrontation in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood.

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What they’re saying

“Given that he was shot in the back, that is additional information that we take into account.”

— Brooke Jenkins, San Francisco District Attorney (kqed.org)

What’s next

The court is expected to decide whether to set bail for Alatini on Wednesday afternoon. Alatini is scheduled to return to court next week for a custody status hearing, followed by a preliminary hearing the following week.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges around use of force and self-defense claims, especially in urban areas with high levels of crime and security presence. The district attorney's decision to aggressively challenge the security guard's account raises important questions about when lethal force is justified.