Federal Prosecutors Charge San Francisco Man with Murder in Connection to Crissy Field Homicide

Authorities have announced that a San Francisco man has been charged with murder in connection to the death of a 32-year-old victim whose body was discovered on November 12th at Crissy Field.

Leion Butler, a 20-year-old resident of San Francisco, appeared in court for the first time and pleaded not guilty on Tuesday. He is facing charges of aiding and abetting murder, as stated by officials.

The criminal complaint accuses Butler of being responsible for the death of Hamza Walupupu, a 32-year-old resident of Alameda County, as confirmed by the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office on Tuesday.

The incident was initially reported to emergency dispatchers on November 12th at approximately 6:30 a.m. A spokesperson for the San Francisco Fire Department stated that a person was found in the parking lot at 1199 East Beach St.

Upon arrival, U.S. Park Police officers and firefighters discovered Walupupu deceased at the scene. The victim had suffered a single gunshot wound to the head.

Investigators managed to link Butler to the murder by reviewing surveillance footage, which captured a car associated with Walupupu leaving the park around the time of the shooting.

Three days later, the abandoned car was located in Hunters Point. Video surveillance revealed Butler parking the vehicle, wiping it down with “a clothing item or towel,” and making multiple trips to another car that arrived at the scene, according to the criminal complaint.

Further investigation connected Butler to the second vehicle, and cellphone data allegedly placed him in the areas where Walupupu was killed and where the car was abandoned, stated the U.S. Attorney’s Office. As a result, Butler was taken into custody on Monday.

If convicted, Butler could potentially face the death penalty or a mandatory life sentence.

As of Tuesday, the motive behind the murder remains unclear. State records indicate that Walupupu held a security guard license since February 2019.

Butler’s next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, during which his detention status will be discussed, according to federal prosecutors.