San Francisco life coach Sauntek Harris, respected community activist by day, now stands accused of being a cold-blooded killer who allegedly murdered four men over two decades, including a witness to his crimes and a man he fought with, all while hiding behind his wholesome public image.
Key Takeaways
- Sauntek Harris, 44, a community activist and life coach in San Francisco’s Hunters Point, has been charged with murdering four men in killings dating back to 2002.
- Shaun Britton, 48, Harris’s alleged accomplice, has been charged with one count of murder related to a 2002 deadly carjacking.
- Prosecutors allege the murders were committed for a criminal street gang and constituted acts of street terrorism.
- Harris allegedly killed one victim to prevent him from testifying, another after losing a fight, and maintained his public image as a positive community influence while allegedly committing these crimes.
- Both suspects are being held without bail pending trial due to the extreme public safety risk they pose.
Hidden Murderer Behind a Life Coach Facade
The San Francisco community has been left reeling after the arrest of Sauntek Harris, 44, a respected life coach and community activist from Hunters Point who now stands accused of killing four men over a span of nearly two decades. Harris was taken into custody on May 29, 2025, following an investigation that uncovered his alleged involvement in multiple murders dating back to 2002. His alleged accomplice, Shaun Britton, 48, was also arrested and charged with participating in one of the killings, according to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors assert these weren’t random acts of violence but were “committed for a criminal street gang and was an act of street terrorism,” according to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. The stark contrast between Harris’s public persona as a mentor helping others improve their lives and the allegations of his participation in brutal gang-related murders has shocked those who knew him. Both men are currently being held without bail as they await trial, with authorities deeming them significant public safety risks.
Two Decades of Alleged Murder and Violence
According to court documents, Harris’s alleged killing spree began on January 18, 2002, when he and Britton reportedly robbed, carjacked, and fatally shot Perry Bradstreet with an assault rifle. After the murder, the victim’s vehicle was set on fire in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence. Just over a month later, on February 24, 2002, Harris allegedly killed Lorenzo Richards using a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, though details about the motive for this second murder remain unclear.
“committed for a criminal street gang,” stated prosecutors.
The violence continued that same year when Harris allegedly murdered Gerald White on July 28, 2002. Prosecutors believe this killing was strategically planned to silence White, who was reportedly a witness to the Bradstreet murder. This execution-style silencing of a witness demonstrates the calculated nature of the crimes Harris is accused of committing. After a significant gap in the alleged murder timeline, Harris is accused of killing his fourth victim, Dietrich Whitley, on August 10, 2019, reportedly as retaliation after losing a fight with Whitley.
Criminal History and Gang Connections
Court documents reveal that Harris was not unfamiliar with the criminal justice system before these murder charges. He had previous convictions for firearm possession and drug-related offenses dating back to January 2004. Now, in addition to the four counts of murder, Harris faces charges of possession of a firearm as a felon. The District Attorney’s office specifically noted that Harris committed the 2019 murder while “lying in wait,” suggesting a premeditated ambush of his victim.
The case highlights a disturbing reality in San Francisco, where gang violence continues to plague certain neighborhoods despite the city’s progressive policies. Harris and Britton’s indictments underscore how criminal enterprises can operate for decades while their members maintain seemingly respectable public personas. This duality allowed Harris to present himself as a community role model while allegedly participating in some of the most serious violent crimes. The allegations show yet another failure of San Francisco’s criminal justice system, which allowed a suspected serial killer to remain free for nearly two decades.
