San Francisco, California: GLIDE Worker Justin Randle Identified as Tenderloin Hit-and-Run Victim

Justin Randle, a community safety worker at GLIDE in San Francisco and a father of three young sons, has been identified as the man killed in a hit-and-run on Ellis Street in the Tenderloin early on Sunday morning. KTVU reported the identification on Wednesday, as colleagues and loved ones remembered a man who spent two years helping some of the city's most vulnerable residents. The San Francisco Chronicle also identified Randle as the victim, and the city's Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing issued a statement mourning him by name as a member of GLIDE's Community Safety Team.

According to the San Francisco Police Department, officers responded at about 1:06 a.m. on October 25 to the 800 block of Ellis Street on reports of a vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. Officers found an injured adult male, rendered aid, and medics took him to a hospital, where he was declared deceased. The vehicle and driver fled before officers arrived. Investigators traced the vehicle to Treasure Island, where California Highway Patrol officers had already stopped it for an unrelated traffic violation. San Francisco officers developed probable cause, arrested the adult female driver, and booked her into San Francisco County Jail for homicide. The vehicle was towed and is being processed for evidence. Police have not released the driver's identity, citing the pending investigation, and the department's Homicide Detail is leading the case. Surveillance video obtained by KTVU shows a person running, followed by a small group rushing to help before police and emergency vehicles arrived.

Randle began at GLIDE as a community safety monitor, helping welcome clients, maintain a safe environment and respond to emergencies, and he had recently been promoted to assistant manager at GLIDE's Transitional Age Youth Health and Wellness Center. In a video GLIDE recorded after he had been on the job a couple of months, he said: "Since I've been at GLIDE I've saved about six, seven lives already with Narcan." Narcan is a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. Donna LaSala, the chief operating officer at GLIDE, told KTVU that Randle helped reverse numerous overdoses, delivered first aid, opened and closed the building on some shifts, and found people who needed resuscitation. "I'll always remember how important it was to him to be a good father, he loved his children with all of his heart," LaSala said.

The tributes reach beyond his workplace. The Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing said it was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Justin Randle, a beloved member of GLIDE's Community Safety Team, and said he dedicated himself to building relationships and caring for others in the Tenderloin. A coworker wrote in a Facebook tribute that Randle had supported his son through struggles with fentanyl use, regularly checking in on the young man's well-being. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to help cover funeral expenses and provide living support for his three young sons, KTVU reported.

GLIDE plans to hold a celebration of life for Randle on November 1, starting at 9 a.m., and says the community is welcome to attend. The investigation remains open even though an arrest has been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact the San Francisco Police Department at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411, beginning the message with SFPD. Callers may remain anonymous.