Commission reviews fatal Jan. 21 incident at 26 Mix, presses permit holder on security and compliance

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission held an extended discussion Feb. 15 about a homicide that occurred inside 26 Mix on Jan. 21, 2022, after staff said permit conditions intended to reduce violence were not followed that night.

Deputy Director Azevedo summarized the incident and the commission’s record with the permit holder: on Jan. 21 at approximately 11:50 p.m. an altercation inside 26 Mix escalated into a brawl and a male patron was fatally stabbed. Staff displayed a timeline and cited a 72‑hour public‑safety suspension issued Jan. 28, complaint history and highlighted specific permit conditions that were out of compliance. Those conditions included a requirement that a manager be on-site during hours of operation; minimum security staffing beginning at 8 p.m. (a stated minimum of three security at certain hours, with defined inside/outside responsibilities); and mandatory pat‑downs, bag checks and metal‑detector use at specified times. Staff said inspectors later observed the venue in compliance during subsequent visits but that at the time of the incident the site was not following those conditions.

William Mayorga, the manager representing 26 Mix, apologized to the commission and said the business had been trying to comply with state labor rules for breaks, which contributed to a momentary shortfall in security staffing when guards were isolated due to COVID. Mayorga described steps the business has taken since the incident: a new manager coverage system so managers can rotate without leaving a gap, plans to hire assistant managers, and an agreement with the security company to provide replacement staff and overtime so guards do not take breaks that would leave the venue understaffed. Mayorga said, "We are... truly sorry about the loss" and told commissioners the business would close if it could not meet permit conditions.

The on‑site security contractor (identified as Farooz) said the company has since overstaffed shifts to avoid understaffing and assigned additional site supervisors.

Commissioners pressed Mayorga on credibility, the presence of an owner on site, and what the licensee will do to demonstrate “consistent compliance.” Several commissioners expressed that while the commission is not ruling out enforcement tools (suspension, reconditioning, or revocation), staff’s current recommendation is to keep the existing conditions but to hold the license holder under close scrutiny and bring the business back immediately if any part of its security plan is not followed. Commissioners suggested options including limiting entertainment hours, requiring additional inspections, or bringing the permit back to the commission if inspections detect problems. No reconditioning motion was adopted at the hearing; staff said inspectors will increase scrutiny and the commission retains enforcement options.