Who has not been that guy at the train station, earbuds in, lost in thought, only to be shaken back into reality by some interruption that has your heart pounding? July 26 was that day for a lot of San Franciscans when the unthinkable struck just as they were about to go out to work, a moment of interruption that jolted families, friends, and the general sense of security all over the city.
1. Last Act of Courage by Colden Kimber
Colden Kimber, 28, was stuck on Ocean Avenue and Lee Avenue with his girlfriend in wait for a train at 4 p.m. when he had what otherwise was just a normal Saturday afternoon weekend planning, burgers. And then suddenly everything changed. Witnesses report that a man began yelling at riders, getting louder, targeting women and children. Prosecutors subsequently quoted Collins as having “made a few sneering comments such as, ‘Oh, you’re better than me,’ or ‘You are so afraid of me.'” Kimber, 6-foot-4, stood in front of Collins and the crowd of people who were frightened. “So if something does occur, then the victim can intervene and rescue those around him,” the district attorney’s office said.
In a “wholly and totally unprovoked” assault, Collins stabbed Kimber in the neck. Kimber, injured, pinned Collins onto seats before Collins fell over them. His girlfriend, with ghostly presence, attempted to stem the bleeding until the medics took over. Kimber died at San Francisco General Hospital, leaving the city in awe of his courage and the brutality he was subjected to.
2. A Gentle Giant Remembered
Kimber’s friends remember him as a man whose kindness and warmth touched the lives of everybody he met. “He just lived this perfect life,” said Bradley Woehl, who owns the bike shop where Kimber worked. “He was a good influence on me and my employees.” Other bikers remember his competitiveness, he set speed records at the Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park, but also his humility. “He’s the most friendly, most kind giant of a man you ever would meet,” explained team member Myles McGinley of the Dolce Vita Cycling team. Kimber’s mother, Lara Litchfield-Kimber, said, “He definitely would do that without hesitation. That does ring true with everything I have come to know about him.”
He was such a protective big brother and such a protective one for me.” His family, in mourning, wrote, “There is no trying to make sense of this, and there are no words to express the devastation we feel.” Surviving Kimber is a devoted seven-year boyfriend, a little sister just learning road cycle, and friends radiating outward from New York to California.
3. The Aftermath: Arrest, Charges, and What Comes Next
Collins, 29, was quickly arrested a block away from the scene of the crime. He’s behind bars after being charged with homicide, now charged with murder and two counts of endangering children, because two small girls, 14 and 8 years old, saw the beating. Collins’ defense lawyer, William Fazio, confirmed the tragedy: “His parents are very distressed.”
They sent their hearts out to the young man who died. It’s a fool’s thing to do. It’s awful. Let’s hope he can receive some treatment and some attention. That’s my reason for doing this.” Collins will return to court on August 14. The case remains ongoing, and anyone with information is requested to call officials.
4. Bystander Intervention: What Works, What’s Safe
Kimber’s courageous actions are representative of the risks involved in direct action. Experts note that bystander intervention is not so much “saving” the victim but showing support and solidarity. The safest strategies are to search the surroundings for weapons, call backup from other bystanders, and make visible the targeted person who is being harassed and not the harasser. The “5Ds” of bystander intervention Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct are effective strategies. For instance, “Distraction is a subtle, sneaky kind of intervention. It is only meant to deflect the harassment incident by interrupting it,” is the way Right To Be’s manual describes it.
Where confrontation can reasonably be guaranteed, that is where one should attempt it, as Kimber did. Bystander intervention cards and silent call for assistance are being provided by most transit systems, and that is facilitates passengers to assist others without introducing risk.
5. Assisting Bereaved Communities
The trauma of the type of violence that has been committed has lasting effects with indelible scars, not only on families but also on communities. Luckily, there are numerous Bay Area programs that provide a variety of support for mourning, including counseling and hotlines, and peer support groups for children and adults. Trauma bereavement-specific services are available at the Institute on Aging, KARA, and Zen Hospice Project. “You don’t have to grieve alone,” Centre for Living with Dying therapists say. Community memorials, such as Kimber’s ride in Golden Gate Park, are places of community healing and memory.
6. Prevention of Future Violence: Mental Health and Crisis Response
Most incidents of public violence are associated with untreated mental health crises. Early intervention and de-escalation are prioritized by experts trained in the field. “Stay calm and be master of your feelings,” the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use recommends.
The threatening body stance, listening, and keeping out of reach can de-escalate the crisis. For those families with relatives in crisis, developing relationships with crisis workers and mental health professionals in the area can mean the difference between life and death. Education within the community regarding warning signs, pacing, agitation, or threatening stares empowers everyone to react safely and proactively.
7. Finding Meaning and Moving Ahead
Kimber’s life is a tragedy, but one of unusual humanity. That he managed to resurface and react after a lifetime of generosity and bravery is a testament to the fact that ordinary citizens are capable of laying out the map for safety and heart in society. As San Francisco grieves, neighbors and transit riders are finding ways to pay him tribute: standing in solidarity, learning safe intervention techniques, and reaching out when loss becomes too much to bear.
“His choice in life was to be a little more peaceful place,” said Woehl, remembering Kimber’s aspirations. In the wake of tragedy, the city’s response, one of compassion, coalescence, and hope, is an act towards healing.
