Teen arrested for alleged death threat in what police say was hate crime

SAN BRUNO — A teenager was arrested here on suspicion of threatening and brandishing a weapon at a person and making derogatory comments about the victim's alleged ethnicity, authorities said.

The 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of brandishing a weapon and committing a hate crime. Police say that around 2:40 p.m. Saturday, they received a call that the male victim had been threatened during an argument at a shopping center on El Camino Real in San Bruno.

The boy allegedly threatened to kill the victim after pulling out a knife and made derogatory comments about his race. Police said in a news release that the victim was Afghan and that the suspect “is believed to be of Middle Eastern origin,” without providing further details.

The boy was booked into juvenile hall.

San Bruno police say any witnesses wishing to make a statement can call them at 650-616-7100 or email: [email protected].