San Francisco, CA – San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced today that her office secured a conviction of Zion Young (24) and Fagamalama Pasene (31) after trial by jury for killing a man they were trying to rob in Portola. Mr. Young was convicted of first-degree murder (PC 187(a)) and attempted robbery (PC 664/211) with an allegation that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm that caused great bodily injury or death (PC 12022.53(d)) found true. Mr. Pasene was also convicted of first-degree murder (PC 187(a)) and attempted armed robbery (PC 664/211), and an allegation that the principal was armed with a firearm at the time of the incident was found true.
 
“I would like to thank the jury for their service and the time and attention that they gave to this case,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “I also want to thank the victim’s family in this case for their trust and patience as we fought for justice in the courtroom over the last five years. While nothing we do can bring their loved one back, I hope this verdict brings them some closure and comfort as they heal from this senseless tragedy.”

According to testimony and other evidence presented at trial, on May 7, 2020, at approximately 8:00 pm, San Francisco Police found a man killed by a gunshot wound near the intersection of Colby Street and Felton Street in the Portola District. Surveillance video showed a newer model black Honda CR-V going up Felton Street before slowing and making a partial turn onto Colby Street. The vehicle then stopped and the front passenger, later identified as Mr. Young, exited. The victim was seen walking along the sidewalk of Felton Street. Mr. Young ran up behind the victim and pointed a firearm at him in an attempted robbery of a cell phone. The victim tragically took a swipe at the firearm instead of handing over his phone. Young fired twice at the victim, killing him. He then ran back to the waiting Honda, re-entered the front passenger seat, and the car sped away from the scene.

The day after the murder, SFPD received an anonymous tip that the shooter was Mr. Young. Public and police records showed an associated address and phone number for Mr. Young and a prior arrest for a firearm where he was with Mr. Pasene. Using this information, police pulled surveillance video from addresses associated with both defendants. Video from the address associated with Mr. Pasene showed him leave in the vehicle used in the murder approximately an hour before the killing, return after, and methodically wipe down the shooter’s side of the car. Video from the area of Mr. Young’s residence showed him wearing the same distinctive clothing as the shooter walking down the block from the direction of his house and then getting into the black Honda CR-V twenty minutes before the murder.

Mr. Young was arrested on May 12, 2020, and a search warrant was executed at his address. During the execution of that warrant, a blue semi-automatic Smith and Wesson firearm was seized. The gun was submitted to the SFPD Crime Lab for ballistics testing. It was compared to two casings recovered from the scene of the homicide. The examination revealed that the casings from the homicide scene had been fired from the Smith and Wesson. DNA from the gun also matched Mr. Young.

Analysis of Mr. Young and Mr. Pasene’s call records and GPS data showed Mr. Pasene leaving the address associated with him, traveling to pick up Mr. Young, and the two of them traveling to the location of the homicide together. These records also showed four calls between them in the hour prior to the murder. The defendants were tried together for murder under a felony murder theory.

The case against Mr. Young and Mr. Pasene was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Dane Reinstedt, with assistance from District Attorney Investigators Doug Keely and Glenn Pon, paralegals Jessica Diamond and Julio Flores-Guzman. Victim Advocate Peter Huynh worked closely with the victim’s family throughout the case and Maria Reynoso assisted as well. The Prosecution was able to present a strong case against Mr. Young and Mr. Pasene based on the incredible work of SFPD Homicide unit.

“The victim’s murder was a senseless tragedy,” said Assistant District Attorney Dane Reinstedt. “The jury’s verdict – on the fifth anniversary of his murder – hopefully brings some sense of closure and justice to his still grieving family. My thoughts are with them. I want to thank the jury for their service, attention, and care in this case.” 

Mr. Young and Mr. Pasene are currently in custody pending sentencing. Sentencing is scheduled for September 2025.

Court Numbers:
Young – 20005626
Pasene – 20005625

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