Police Sought Suspect in 2016 San Francisco Homicide

Authorities are offering a $150,000 reward for information identifying a man linked to a deadly 2016 shooting.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Violence

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The San Francisco Police Department is offering a $150,000 reward for information leading to the identification of a suspect in the 2016 homicide of Warren Mitchell. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The San Francisco Police Department has released new surveillance footage seeking public assistance to identify a suspect in the 2016 shooting death of 24-year-old Warren Mitchell. The victim was shot on the 700 block of Ellis Street and later died at San Francisco General Hospital.

Why it matters

The investigation remains active as authorities hope a significant cash incentive will encourage witnesses to come forward with information regarding the unidentified suspect. Officials believe that identifying the man seen on the bicycle handlebars is crucial to resolving this cold case.

The San Francisco Police Department is offering a $150,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the unidentified suspect. Investigators have confirmed the identity of the person pedaling the bicycle but have yet to identify the passenger.

The players

San Francisco Police Department

This local law enforcement agency is responsible for the investigation and public safety efforts in San Francisco.

Warren Mitchell

He was the 24-year-old victim who died following a shooting on Ellis Street in 2016.

The details

Surveillance video from the 2016 incident shows the suspect riding on the handlebars of a bicycle as it traveled through the area. Police are now sharing these images and clips with the public to generate new leads in the decade-old homicide.

Timeline

  1. The shooting occurred at approximately 4:30 a.m. on September 30, 2016.

  2. Police issued the public request for identification assistance on October 1, 2026.

Legal Context

This investigative push updates the status of the 2016 San Francisco homicide of Warren Mitchell. It follows a pattern of cold case resolutions where departments release historical surveillance media to leverage public participation years after the initial crime.

Residents in the area near the 700 block of Ellis Street may see increased awareness campaigns regarding this decade-old investigation. The public is encouraged to review the released photos and contact authorities with any identifying information.

The takeaway

Cold cases often rely on the public re-examining evidence that may have been overlooked or forgotten over time. Providing new visual context can sometimes be the catalyst needed to bring clarity to long-standing investigations.

Further reading

Learn more about local investigations on the Violence page.

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Do you believe cash rewards are an effective way to help police solve cold cases?