ktvu.com reports that police have arrested three cousins in connection with a BB gun attack on a gay man. Mohammad Habibzada, Shafiq Hashemi and Sayed Bassam were charged with the February 26 assault on 16th Street, during which they [allegedly] shot a 27-year-old man in the cheek as he was smoking outside a bar in San Francisco’s Mission district. The men were released on $50 thousand dollars bail each—and then rearrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon (an unidentified rifle-style BB gun), negligent discharge of a firearm, hate crimes and attempted mayhem, and a charge relating to the possibility of a disabling or disfiguring injury. The three posted $450 thousand dollars bail apiece. “Brian Buckelew, spokesman for District Attorney Kamala Harris, said the video showed the 16th Street attack and BB rifle shootings aimed at 11 other men. Police say the video depicts the suspects laughing as they fire. Investigators say they have been unable to find any of the additional alleged victims. Still, Buckelew said prosecutors may file additional charges against each of the three defendants.” And then “According to Buckelew, the men are Muslim and prosecutors have evidence they may have committed the alleged acts because they believe homosexuality is against their religion.” With a statement like that, the DA better HAVE evidence.
