S.F. judge releases suspect in assault of mayor's bodyguard, who is now back in custody

The 44-year-old man was charged with assault and other crimes after the violent encounter with the mayor's security detail.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 6:53pm by Ben Kaplan

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The man charged with assaulting Mayor Daniel Lurie's bodyguard was arrested and booked into San Francisco County Jail on Monday morning, accused of violating a court order to stay away from the intersection where the violent encounter occurred. The suspect, Tony Phillips, was previously released from custody last week after a judge reviewed video of the scuffle and said Phillips was 'violently assaulted' during the encounter.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges of balancing public safety, due process, and the rights of suspects, especially when high-profile officials are involved. The judge's decision to release Phillips despite the assault charges raised concerns, and his subsequent arrest for violating the stay-away order underscores the complexities of the criminal justice system.

The details

According to jail records, Tony Phillips, 44, was arrested and booked into San Francisco County Jail on Monday morning for allegedly violating a court order to stay away from the intersection near the Tenderloin where the violent encounter with Mayor Lurie's bodyguard occurred on March 5. Phillips was previously charged with assault and other crimes following the incident, but a judge had ordered his release from custody after reviewing video that showed Phillips was 'violently assaulted' during the scuffle.

  • On March 5, the violent encounter between Phillips and the mayor's security detail occurred near the Tenderloin.
  • Last week, a judge reviewed video of the incident and ordered Phillips' release from custody.
  • On Monday morning, Phillips was arrested and booked into San Francisco County Jail for allegedly violating the court's stay-away order.

The players

Tony Phillips

A 44-year-old man charged with assault and other crimes following a violent encounter with Mayor Daniel Lurie's bodyguard.

Mayor Daniel Lurie

The mayor of San Francisco whose bodyguard was involved in the violent encounter with Tony Phillips.

Sylvia Husing

The San Francisco Superior Court judge who reviewed video of the incident and ordered Phillips' release from custody, stating that Phillips was 'violently assaulted' during the encounter.

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What they’re saying

“Phillips was 'violently assaulted' during the encounter”

— Sylvia Husing, San Francisco Superior Court Judge

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Tony Phillips to remain out on bail or order him to be held in custody pending further proceedings.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complexities of the criminal justice system, where balancing public safety, due process, and the rights of suspects can lead to difficult decisions by the courts. The judge's initial release of Phillips, followed by his re-arrest for violating a court order, underscores the need for careful consideration of all factors when handling high-profile cases involving public officials.