Previously: Victim In Bizarre Polk Street Pizzeria Slaying Identified
San Francisco prosecutors today charged a 25-year-old Contra Costa County woman with murder for the fatal stabbing Tuesday of a San Francisco pizzeria worker.
Maryam Achekzai, of Hercules, is alleged to have stabbed 38-year-old Lassaad Youssef Bokri, of San Francisco, at about 1:30 a.m. outside Bellissimo Pizza at 920 Sutter St. in the city’s Nob Hill neighborhood.
Bokri died a short time later at the hospital.
Achekzai was arrested nearby after flagging down a passing motorist and asking for ride, reportedly telling the driver she had been threatened, according to police.
Police responding to the stabbing pulled the car over and reportedly saw blood on Achekzai’s hands and clothing, according to the district attorney’s office. The murder weapon was recovered near the pizzeria.
According to witness reports, Achekzai first entered the pizzeria and asked an employee for a glass of water. After she was given the water, she then left, returning a few minutes later to find Bokri smoking a cigarette outside.
Achekzai then allegedly shouted at Bokri as she stabbed him several times with a knife, according to the district attorney’s office.
Police said the motive for the attack is still under investigation and it does not appear Bokri and Achekzai knew each other.
Achekzai has a prior felony conviction for a 2006 assault during a robbery in Fremont for which she served time in prison, and a misdemeanor conviction for hit-and-run in Contra Costa County.
Attached to the murder charge is an enhancement for the use of a deadly weapon. There is also an enhancement for having served a prior state prison term.
If convicted, Achekzai could face up to 27 years to life in prison, according to the district attorney’s office.
She is scheduled to be arraigned in San Francisco Superior Court on Monday.
