A San Francisco officer’s alleged attacker was controversially released — only to be arrested in the same spot days later
Blame games galore.
Tony Phillips, the man accused of violently attacking a San Francisco police officer assigned to Mayor Daniel Lurie’s security detail, is back in custody just days after a judge ordered his release. Phillips, 44, was arrested again on Monday morning for allegedly violating a court-ordered stay-away provision. Officers conducting homeless outreach spotted him and took him into custody without incident.
According to Fox News, this second arrest comes less than a week after San Francisco Superior Court Judge Sylvia Husing made a pretty controversial call on March 11. She ordered Phillips released from jail following a high-profile altercation that happened earlier this month. What makes this even crazier is that Judge Husing actually suggested in court that Phillips, not the officer, had been “violently assaulted.”
The whole thing kicked off on March 5 when Lurie and his security detail encountered a group of people blocking a street in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district. Court documents cited by prosecutors describe how Phillips allegedly became argumentative and moved toward the mayor.
The situation escalated too quickly for everyone involved
An officer stepped in, but prosecutors claim Phillips got right up in the officer’s face, shouting, “Bruce Lee I’ll kick your a—.” Phillips then allegedly wrapped his arms around the officer, lifted and slammed him onto the pavement. That left the officer with a concussion and a head laceration.
Phillips has been charged with felony resisting an executive officer and assault on a peace officer, along with an allegation that he caused serious bodily injury. Prosecutors had even argued he should be held without bail, citing what they see as a public safety risk. There’s also a second suspect, 33-year-old Abraham Simon, who is facing charges related to resisting or obstructing an officer.
Despite these serious allegations, Husing’s decision to release Phillips was based on her belief that he was the one who had been “violently assaulted.” However, at the request of prosecutors, she did impose a stay-away order, barring Phillips from returning to the area where the incident took place.
Phillips’ attorney, Ivan Rodriguez, has disputed the prosecution’s version. He said his client was not the aggressor and that video actually shows the officer initiated physical contact. He’s urging prosecutors to reconsider pursuing the case.
Phillips’ lawyer says the incident was politically motivated
Rodriguez has also suggested the entire encounter was politically motivated, alleging the mayor “lured” the situation by stopping and engaging with people on the street. Mayor Lurie, however, said he stopped out of concern. “I went to see what was going on and ask if they needed help, but also asked them to get off [the street] because I was worried about their safety, and I was worried about the safety of the people around them,” he explained.
In a recent video, Lurie said he is “walking the streets of San Francisco every day” because “you can’t solve what you can’t see.” He added that he remains “laser focused on public safety” and addressing homelessness and the city’s behavioral health crisis.
The mayor also recently announced that San Francisco secured nearly $100 million in state funding to expand mental health and addiction treatment services. That money will support additional locked psychiatric beds, new treatment capacity, and a planned sobering center. His goal is to get people “off the streets, into treatment, and into recovery.”
Phillips has other pending cases too, including allegations related to squatting, loitering, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He’s scheduled to appear in court later this week on misdemeanor charges, with a separate court date tied to the altercation set for April.
It’s also worth noting that Phillips was previously arrested in connection with a fatal stabbing in San Francisco back in 2019. He was taken into custody on suspicion of homicide, but prosecutors later declined to file charges, citing insufficient evidence.
The San Francisco Police Officers Association hasn’t commented directly on this case or the judge’s remarks due to ongoing legal proceedings. However, union president Louis Wong said their members are “pleased and proud to protect Mayor Lurie, all elected officials, and the residents of our city.”
Wong added, “The SFPOA is always concerned about the safety of our officers and the impact of incidents like this one. When an officer is injured in the line of duty, it underscores the very real risks our members face every day to protect this city — as well as our mayor. Our focus is always ensuring that officers are supported, protected, and able to do their jobs safely.”
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