Suspect Found Guilty in 2019 Murder of 88-Year-Old Woman

UPDATE: Keonte Gathron has been found guilty of murdering an 88-year-old woman in San Francisco during a brutal attack in 2019. A jury delivered the verdict on Tuesday, confirming Gathron’s responsibility for 25 counts, including the murder of Yik Oi Huang, who was simply out for her morning walk in Visitacion Valley.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins expressed relief at the verdict, stating, “

We are pleased to announce Mr. Gathron has been found guilty of numerous counts. Most importantly in the murder of Mrs. Huang, an 88-year-old grandmother who simply out doing her morning exercise.

” Gathron’s conviction brings a long-awaited sense of justice to Huang’s family, who have endured years of pain since the tragic incident.

On January 3, 2020, Huang succumbed to her injuries at Laguna Honda Hospital, following a brutal attack that left her fighting for her life. Gathron assaulted her at a playground before entering her home and fleeing the scene. He was apprehended later while committing another robbery.

The charges against Gathron extend beyond Huang’s murder, including armed robberies and carjackings, with multiple incidents targeting victims of Asian descent. DA Jenkins emphasized, “Mr. Gathron was facing numerous counts related to multiple incidents. The most pronounced is the murder of Mrs. Huang,” highlighting the impact of his crimes on the community.

Gathron now faces the possibility of life in prison, with sentencing scheduled for a future date. The park where Huang was attacked was renamed in her honor to The Yik Oi Huang Peace and Friendship Park in June 2024, aiming to foster community healing and remembrance.

This story is still developing. Stay tuned for further updates as authorities continue to address the ramifications of this case and its impact on the community.