San Francisco police arrest 18-year-old linked to July 4th shooting that killed 6-year-old boy

Bay City News
Friday, January 8, 2021
'My son mattered': Father of 6-year-old boy who was fatally shot in SF pleads for justice
Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Shamann Walton join the family of 6-year-old Jace Young to speak of the death of Jace who was shot and killed while watching fireworks on July 4th in San Francisco's Bayview neighborhood.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Police in San Francisco have arrested a suspect in connection with the killing of a 6-year-old boy, who was shot as he watched fireworks in the city's Bayview neighborhood last Fourth of July.

Officers arrested 18-year-old James Harbor on Wednesday on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, carrying a loaded firearm and unlawfully taking a vehicle, among other offenses, according to jail records. He's being held without bail.

Before arresting Harbor, officers served a search warrant at a home in the 100 block of Font Boulevard around 4:25 p.m., police said.

RELATED: 'My son mattered': Mayor Breed, father of 6-year-old killed in July 4th shooting pleads for justice

On the night of the fatal July shooting, Jace Young was watching fireworks with his family near Whitfield Court and La Salle Avenue when he was struck by gunfire. Although the boy was taken to the hospital, he died from his injuries, police said.

Investigators believe Harbor also is connected to another shooting that happened nearby that evening, which left another man injured.

The senseless killing stunned residents and city leaders alike and prompted the Police Department to issue a $100,000 reward in hopes that someone would come forward with information that would lead to an arrest and conviction.

In response to news of the recent arrest, Capt. Troy Dangerfield of the San Francisco Police Department's Bayview Station said on Twitter, "It's good to see progress in the case. No arrest can bring back the life of Jace. My hope is that his arrest brings resolve to the family and Bayview community."

RELATED: 'Perfect child': Family of 6-year-old boy shot, killed watching SF fireworks asks for justice

"Proud of the hard work of my homicide team, in close partnership with dedicated SFPD homicide inspectors, in this investigation," District Attorney Chesa Boudin said. "Tonight's (Wednesday's) arrest is a critical step towards justice for the Young family. It shows what we can achieve when we work together."

Although an arrest has been made, police said the case remains under investigation and anyone with information is being asking to call the Police Department's anonymous 24-hour tipline at (415) 575-4444 or to text a tip to TIP411 with "SFPD" at the start of the message.

Editor's note: The video above is from an earlier report