Suspect facing life in prison for brazen Memorial Day morning attack that left a woman seriously injured and a neighborhood reeling.
San Francisco, CA –
Today, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced that Fook Poy Lai (61) has been charged with numerous felonies in connection to an alleged stabbing of a 58-year-old woman working at a bakery in Chinatown on May 29, 2023. Mr. Lai is charged with attempted murder (PC 664 187(a)), assault with a deadly weapon (PC 245(a)(1), battery causing serious bodily injury (PC 243(d)), false imprisonment (PC 236), and second-degree burglary (PC 459).
“The alleged attack in Chinatown left a woman seriously injured and a neighborhood shocked,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “I offer my unwavering commitment to pursuing justice and ensuring that the suspect is held accountable for this senseless crime.”
On Monday, May 29, 2023, at approximately 9:50 a.m., San Francisco Police officers assigned to Central station responded to a business located on the 1000 block of Stockton Street on a report of a stabbing. Officers arrived on scene and located an adult female victim with an apparent stab wound. Officers rendered aid and summoned medics to the scene who transported the victim to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Mr.Lai has been in custody since his arrest on May 29, 2023. Prior to this arrest he was released from custody and on parole for a 2016 attempted murder conviction for stabbing an elderly man in Portsmouth Square in San Francisco (court number 16010050). He was sentenced to nine years in State Prison in that case and had completed serving that sentence. Prosecutors are requesting the court detain the defendant without bail due to the public safety risk he poses and revoke his parole. His arraignment is scheduled for May 31, 2023 at 1:30PM in Department 10 at the Hall of Justice. If convicted of all charges he faces life in State Prison.
Although charges have been filed, this remains an active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the San Francisco Police Department Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.
Court Number: 23007908
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