Press Releases

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins Announces Jury Convicts Paul Vansyckel for Brutal Unprovoked Attack and Attempted Murder of Roommate

A jury convicted Paul Vansyckel of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated mayhem. Sentencing scheduled for November 14, 2022

San Francisco, CA –Today, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced that her office secured a conviction of Paul Vansyckel for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated mayhem after trial by jury. On April 2, 2015 in a brutal unprovoked attack, Vansyckel threw hot oil onto Aliaksandr Rainchyk’s face (his 28-year-old roommate), and stabbed him in the back twice. Mr. Rainchyk sustained third degree burns to the head, face, right arm and shoulder. One of the stab wounds punctured the victim’s right lung. The jury also found true allegations that a deadly weapon was used in the commission of these crimes and the victim suffered great bodily injury. Vansykel and the victim shared an apartment on Treasure Island. The jury reached a guilty verdict on October 14, 2022.

“This verdict delivers justice to the victim and holds Paul Vansyckel accountable for horrific crimes,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “There is no place for unprovoked acts of violence like the ones perpetrated by Vansyckel. His crimes are especially heinous because they were committed in the victim’s home where he should have been safe. This verdict sends a message to all would be attackers who look to victimize people when and where they are vulnerable, we will stand with the victim and you will be brought to justice and held to account.”

The case against Vansyckel was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Melody Bahai-Reiver with assistance from many paralegals throughout the prosecution. Investigators from the San Francisco Police Department’s Southern Station led the investigation and worked closely with the prosecutors over many years to develop the case against Vansyckel. Victim Advocates Nori Kitaoka and Amanda Esquivel with the District Attorney’s Office Victim Services Division directly engaged with the victim and her family.

“I want to thank the jury for their hard work and due diligence in thoroughly evaluating all the evidence and returning a just verdict,” said Assistant District Attorney Melody Bahai-Reiver.

“After seven years, I hope that the verdict will bring some degree of closure to Mr. Rainchyk. I want to also thank the dedicated and talented doctors at SFGH and St. Francis Burn unit for their hard work in saving Mr. Rainchyk’s life.”
Vansyckel was remanded after the verdict and will remain in custody until sentencing. He will be sentenced on November 14, 2022.

Court Number: 15007849

###