EXCLUSIVE: SF firefighter describes brutal 2022 attack by colleague that ended his career

abc7news.com ^ | June 13, 2024 | Dan Noyes

[lowbridge]

Gabriel Shin described the attack at the hands of another San Francisco firefighter. "The whole time I was yelling at him, I said, 'Robert, stop, what's wrong with you, stop,' you know, and he just didn't stop. He was relentless."

Shin is talking publicly for the first time about a brutal attack that he says ended his career. Another firefighter stands charged with beating him with a hydrant wrench.

-snip

Connected to this attack, Gabriel Shin has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit that asks a basic question. Why was the victim forced out of the San Francisco Fire Department and the suspect still works there?

-snip

Court records show that, two days after that phone call, Robert Muhammad used a computer at Station 25 to retrieve Shin's work schedule and his home address, and left the station with what's called a "hydrant spanner" - a heavy, brass wrench measuring 15 inches that's used to turn the water on and off. Muhammad drove across the bridge to Shin's home in Oakland and found him out front, sweeping the sidewalk.

"I heard somebody say, 'Are you going to tell me, are you going to tell me who told you?'" Shin said. "And I turned around and I said, 'Robert, what are you doing here?' He said, 'Who are you protecting?' I said, 'I forgot.' And then he reached into his back pocket. He pulled out the large brass spanner, and he started swinging at my head."

-snip

Court records allege Muhammad swung the wrench at Shin's head approximately twelve times, breaking his arms as he tried to protect himself, giving him a concussion. One blow sent Shin's glasses across the street, he said. The attack stopped only after a neighbor who works against human trafficking pulled a handgun and confronted Muhammad.

[DainBramage]

I agree there are different hydrant tops but most my city are square., but we kept different size scanners it wasn’t like there were infinite sizes.

[hoosierham]

Spanner wrenches are also used in optical work.

[sjmjax]

I concur with your questions,
What was this all really about?
Not suggesting that “whatever” the issue justifies the attack and the departments odd reaction.
But, the story is just bizarre without context.
Typical modern “journalism”.

[Jeff Chandler]

I believe that term is used in the steel work industry.

[TangoLimaSierra]

British usage, like calling a car hood a “bonnet” . . . .

And the trunk is the "boot".

[VTenigma]

I blame Dire Straits

[F450-V10]

I scanned all responses before I made the Dire Straits reference...thanks!

Industrial Disease...great song.

[Keyhopper]

You get caught using a pipe wrench on a hydrant it’s a $500 fine.

[Albion Wilde]

It is clear that the attacker (Robert Muhammad) is being treated with kid gloves because of his enhanced melanin.

Nope. It's the surname.

[Albion Wilde]

This DEI hire who attacked his colleague clearly has anger management and violence issues but is being shielded

He's been with the department for 20 years, so not a DEI hire—it wasn't in use then. But DEI most probably figures into this criminal's retention.

[ViLaLuz]

Sounds like aggravated assault.