SF gallery owner filmed spraying homeless person with hose arrested, charged with misdemeanor
SAN FRANCISCO -- Collier Gwin, the gallery owner who sprayed down a homeless individual earlier this month, was arrested Wednesday after San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins issued a misdemeanor battery arrest warrant.
Jenkins said on Twitter, "The alleged battery of an unhoused member of our community is completely unacceptable..."
"I thought it was really disturbing. I think it's not okay no matter how bothered you are in any given situation. I think it's not okay to spray water at someone," said Alex Sakiyama, who lives in the area.
Sakiyama is familiar with the person sprayed, often hearing her scream at night.
"She was often naked sleeping here, she would stay around here, yeah. I don't know if it was bad enough to attack her," said Sakiyama.
We spoke with Gwin right after the incident who at first did not apologize but then, days later, did offer remorse for what he had done.
VIDEO: SF art gallery owner apologizes hours after forum held condemning him for spraying unhoused person
While many have had feelings of outrage watching the video.
"I was shocked, definitely disappointed," said one woman who works in the area.
"We have a problem but that's not the way to solve it," said John Schram who lives nearby.
Some told us there are major problems on the streets of San Francisco.
While outside of Collier Gwin's gallery, a man who appeared to be intoxicated set up outside the door.
Some in the area say the situation built up to the hosing incident.
"It got messy. She was messy. There was food all over the sidewalk, a big mess and she screamed a lot and we could hear it in the building. It was tough, that woman needs help," said another woman who lives nearby.
Neighbors tell us they have not seen the unhoused person who was sprayed since all of this happened. Collier Gwin was booked at 5:37 p.m. Wednesday. We have reached out to him and his family to get their take on things but have not heard back.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins issued this statement:
Following the San Francisco Police Department's investigation and reviewing all the evidence provided, my office has issued an arrest warrant for Collier Gwin. Gwin will be charged with misdemeanor battery for the alleged intentional and unlawful spraying of water on and around a woman experiencing homelessness on January 9, 2022.
The alleged battery of an unhoused member of our community is completely unacceptable. Mr. Gwin will face appropriate consequences for his actions. Likewise, the vandalism at Foster Gwin gallery is also completely unacceptable and must stop - two wrongs do not make a right.
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