SF fire commissioner attack: Video shows suspect swinging lead pipe

Image shows an assault in San Francisco's Marina District.

by: Phil Mayer, Dan Kerman

Posted: Apr 10, 2023 / 03:22 PM PDT

Updated: Apr 10, 2023 / 08:01 PM PDT

WARNING: The video in this story could be considered troubling.

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Video obtained by KRON4 shows a man swinging a metal pipe at former San Francisco Fire Commissioner Don Carmignani. Carmignani, 53, was assaulted in the Marina District on April 5, resulting in hospitalization and surgery.

Garret Allen Doty, 24, has been arrested and charged for the assault. Charges filed against him by the San Francisco District Attorney include assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with serious bodily injury, and assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury.

The video (below) shows the suspect, purported to be Doty, swinging the pipe several times as Carmignani cowers in fear. After about 45 seconds, Carmignani runs down the street out of the camera's view. The suspect walks back into view about 35 seconds after that, still carrying the metal pipe. Carmignani is last seen in the video running away from the suspect.

The assault happened in the area of Magnolia Street and Laguna Street at about 7:20 p.m., the San Francisco Police Department said. Carmignani's father said he broke his jaw, has 50 stitches on his face, and underwent surgery to remove a piece of his skull.

Carmignani provided a statement to KRON4 with more information about the assault. He said his attacker was a homeless person who had set up an encampment in front of his mother's home the morning of the assault.

He said he called 911 in the morning after seeing the encampment, which he says was inhabited by three people. However, the individuals stayed in front of his mother's house throughout the day, consuming drugs and "had exhibited extremely aggressive behavior towards passersby."

Carmignani shared a photo of the alleged subjects below.

Carmignani says that he asked the people to leave in the evening, and two of them "movedtoward me in a threatening manner." The suspect then took out the pipe and assaulted him "countless" times with it, he said.

"I understand how a violent attack like this can shake a community and I am committed to ensuring that the defendant is held accountable, so that we send the strongest message that violence like this is unacceptable," said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. "I am sending strength to the victim as he continues his recovery, and we will do everything in our power to seek justice for the victim and the community that has been traumatized."

Doty was arrested shortly after the attack, but Carmignani said two of "his attackers" stayed in the area. According to Carmignani, one of the subjects was wearing his hat as a "trophy."

Read a full statement from Carmignani below:

On the morning of April 5, 2023, both my Mother and I called 911 to report that three homelessindividuals had set up an encampment at the entryway to her residence. My family has had priorinteractions with these individuals, who have made repeated threats of violence to my familymembers. As a result, my Mother did not feel safe leaving her home.

To my knowledge, neither SFPD nor any of the City's various homeless service providersresponded to our 911 calls that morning. Throughout that day, my Mother and girlfriend informed me that these individuals were still in front of her house, had been openly consuming drugs, and had exhibited extremely aggressive behavior towards passersby. That evening, I arrived at my Mother's house and asked these individuals to leave. At that point, two of the individuals moved toward me in a threatening manner. The incident culminated with one of the individuals producing a piece of metal and striking me countless times on the head. I was transported to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery.

Sadly, I am not the first person to be victimized by these individuals, who are known criminals with a well-documented history of drug use, harassment of residents, and vandalism in the Marina. I recently learned that the City has continue to allow two of my attackers to remain in the vicinity of the incident. In fact, one of my attackers was seen near the scene of the attack, wearing my hat as a trophy, which fell off my head during the attack. This is unacceptable.

As a native San Franciscan and lifelong Marina District resident, I firmly believe that the Cityneeds to promote the safety of its law-abiding citizens over those who chose to do drugs andcommit violent acts in our streets. I am hopeful that this unfortunate incident will lead to policychanges to better protect the interests of San Francisco residents and that my attackers will be fully prosecuted.

While it pains me to watch, I am attaching a video of my attack to this statement. I am alsoattaching a photograph of my attackers sitting in front of my mother's house, taken the morning of the attack, prior to the incident. My family and I are grateful for all the outreach and support we have received during this difficult time. While I expect to make a full recovery, I appreciate the general public's respect for my privacy during my rehabilitation process. Thank you.

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