SAN FRANCISCO—On Thursday, November 7, 2024, the SF District Attorney’s Office announced that a conviction was secured against Andre Brown, 52, after a trial by jury for shooting a Safeway security guard following a robbery. He was sentenced in San Francisco Superior Court to a term of 31 years to life in state prison by the Honorable Christine Van Aken.
Brown was convicted of second-degree robbery (PC 211), assault with a semi-automatic weapon (PC 245(b)), possession of a firearm by a felon (PC 29800(a)(1)), convicted person carrying a loaded firearm (PC 25850(a)), concealed firearm on a convicted person (PC 25400(a)(2), convicted passenger with a concealed firearm (C 25400(a)(3)) and resisting a peace officer (PC 148(a)(1)).
In addition, the jury found true several allegations including that Brown personally caused great bodily injury to the victim, that he personally and intentionally used a firearm and that he was on bail during the commission of these crimes. The jury also found true that the defendant had been convicted of two prior strikes (attempted second-degree robbery (PC 664/211) and second-degree robbery (PC 211)) pursuant to Penal Code section 667.
The SFDA’s Office noted in a press release that according to testimony and other evidence presented at trial, on October 29, 2022, Brown entered the Safeway located on the 4900 block of Mission Street around 5:50 p.m. and took several items from the store including Nutella and attempted to leave without paying.
The security guard followed him out of the store. Outside on the sidewalk, Brown turned and fired two shots at the security guard. The victim was struck once in the groin. The suspect fled and was apprehended by officers with the San Francisco Police Department minutes later on a Muni Bus a few blocks away.
“I am incredibly grateful to the jury for their service and careful consideration of the facts and law in this case,” said Assistant District Attorney Yuri Chornobil. “The jury’s verdict brings justice to the victim for the serious injuries he sustained and holds Mr. Brown accountable for his egregious actions.”
