San Francisco DA says Musk's 'repeat violent offenders' tweet on Lee's death 'irresponsible'

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins says Twitter CEO and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk was "irresponsible" for publicly assuming Cash App founder Bob Lee was fatally stabbed by a repeat violent offender and has accused him of spreading "misinformation."

Authorities on Thursday arrested tech consultant and tech company owner Nima Momeni in connection with the early-morning, April 4 death of Lee in the San Francisco neighborhood of Rincon Hill. 

They also say the men knew each other, meaning Lee's death was not the result of a random, violent attack or a repeat offender, according to the New York Daily News. 

Musk tweeted after the arrest: "Many people I know have been severely assaulted. Violent crime in SF is horrific and even if attackers are caught, they are often released immediately. Is the city taking stronger action to incarcerate repeat violent offenders @BrookeJenkinsSF?"

Musk also tagged Jenkins in the tweet.

During a press conference regarding the arrest, Jenkins condemned Musk’s comments as misinformation.

"I must point out that reckless and irresponsible statements like those contained in Mr. Musk’s tweet that assumed incorrect circumstances about Mr. Lee’s death served to mislead the world in their perceptions of San Francisco, and also negatively impact the pursuit of justice for victims of crime as it spreads misinformation at a time when the police are trying to solve a very difficult case,” Jenkins said.

Musk apparently misspoke, but his concerns followed those of San Francisco residents who in June 2022 ousted former San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, over his progressive policies during an increase in crime.

Boudin, considered one of the most progressive prosecutors in the county, sought to reform the city criminal justice system, by ending the use of cash bail, ending the prosecution of minors as adults and focusing on lowering jail populations during the pandemic.