SFPD Arrests Suspect for throwing “Molotov cocktail” #26-014

On February 7, 2026, at approximately 5:48 p.m., San Francisco Police officers were on patrol in the area of 16th and Mission streets when a male in a vehicle threw an ignited “Molotov cocktail” into the street and fled the scene.

The officers reacted immediately by extinguishing the flames and broadcasting a description of the suspect vehicle. The item, which was a glass wine bottle with an ignited wick, did not shatter and was seized by the officers at the scene. Additional officers, which included department-issued drones, searched the area for the suspect.

Through the course of the investigation, officers located a vehicle on the 1100 block of Tennessee Street that matched the suspect vehicle description and developed probable cause to tow the vehicle.

Officers continued searching for the suspect and located a male matching the suspect description on the 700 block of 22nd Street. The male was detained without further incident.

SFPD investigators with the Arson Task Force responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Investigators developed probable cause to arrest 36-year-old Shawn Gregory Barstow of San Francisco.

Barstow was transported to San Francisco County Jail and booked for the felony charges of attempting to ignite a destructive device (18740 PC), possession of a destructive device (18710(a) PC), and possession of an incendiary device (453(a) PC).

Although an arrest has been made, this remains an open and active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the SFPD at 1-415-575-4444 or Text-A-Tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.