Outreach Worker Fatally Shot After Confronting Drug User in San Francisco

A homeless outreach worker was shot and killed in San Francisco after confronting a man about drug use outside a public library. The incident occurred on March 15, 2024, when Joey Alexander, 60, approached Edmund Bowen, 42, near the city’s main library, urging him to stop using drugs in front of women and children present.

Alexander, who worked for Urban Alchemy, an organization dedicated to assisting the homeless and providing jobs for those recently released from prison, was shot in the torso with a shotgun. After being rushed to a hospital, he succumbed to his injuries on March 19, 2024, according to reports from KTVU.

Details of the Incident and Investigation

Witnesses described a heated exchange between Alexander and Bowen prior to the shooting. Jess Montejano, a spokesperson for Urban Alchemy, recounted that Alexander was attempting to maintain a safe environment when he confronted Bowen. “The suspect didn’t like that,” Montejano stated. “They exchanged some words. My understanding is he said, ‘f*** Urban Alchemy,’ pulled a shotgun out of his bag and shot him.”

Law enforcement officials, including sheriff’s deputies and police who were nearby, quickly responded to the scene and called for medical assistance for Alexander. Bowen was apprehended and remains in police custody as authorities prepare to file murder charges against him by the end of the week.

A Legacy of Redemption

The family of Joey Alexander is remembering him for his dedication to helping others rather than his past. His brother, Marvin Alexander, revealed that Joey spent 23 years in prison but found purpose upon his release. “He wanted to make right what he’d done in his past,” Marvin told KTVU. “Whatever he was doing, it was the right thing. He loved his job, I know that.”

Alexander is survived by two sons. His family hopes that his legacy will be one of transformation and service, urging the public to focus on the positive contributions he made to the community. “I want people to remember my little brother for this: don’t look at him for what he’d done,” Marvin stated. “Look at him for what he was doing.”