A San Francisco man gunned down when he apparently tried to enter the wrong apartment in his building in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood earlier this month will be remembered at his funeral Thursday.
Stephen Guillermo (pictured above), 26, was killed around 1:40 a.m. on May 3 in an apartment building in the 900 block of Mission Street.
Amisi Sudi Kachepha, 68, was arrested after he was found at the scene. The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges against him last Tuesday and he was released.
His cousin Emil Guillermo said his funeral will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. The service will be at the Star of the Sea Church at 4420 Geary Blvd. in San Francisco, followed by his interment at Holy Cross Cemetery at 1500 Mission Road in Colma.
There is also a viewing this evening and Wednesday afternoon, he said.
“We are in mourning,” his cousin said.
Since Guillermo’s death, his Filipino-American family and San Francisco community has called for justice for their brother, cousin, son and friend, who was working two jobs while studying at San Francisco State University.
He was expected to graduate with a degree in International Relations this June.
Family and friends spoke at the San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting last week, and also addressed the San Francisco Police Commission the following day.
At today’s Board of Supervisors meeting Emil Guillermo returned to reiterate that “Stephen was not a threat.”
Emil Guillermo said by speaking out he hopes the public will understand that his cousin was not intruding or trying to break-in.
“He was an angel. He was not a threat,” Emil Guillermo said.
He said although the suspect has been released, “I hope the District Attorney is taking some time to look over the facts.”
Supporters held small rallies outside the Hall of Justice at 850 Bryant St. several days last week.
Guillermo had lived at the Mission Street apartment where he was shot for the past 18 years with his mother, and younger brother and sister. His family had immigrated to San Francisco from the Philippines when he was 8. His father died a few years ago.
According to family, Guillermo was the family breadwinner, working as a driver for ridesharing company Lyft and for Puma selling shoes.
On a website created to organize rallies and gather support for prosecuting the man who shot Guillermo, his family wrote, “His smile would always warm everyone’s heart. He lived life to the fullest every single day.”
Friends and others donated more than $12,000 to go toward his funeral services and to continue supporting his surviving family members.
Although the site’s $10,000 goal has already been surpassed, donations can still be made before May 31 at www.everribbon.com/ribbon/view/17200.
Donations can also be made to Stephen Guillermo’s family courtesy of Daniel Guillermo at any Chase Bank using account No. 3090900092.
Sasha Lekach, Bay City News
