Alexander Apalit

Alexander “Alex” Raye Apalit was a 21-year-old Daly City man looking forward to his future. Born in May 1987, he was a graduate of the class of 2005 at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in San Francisco. He was remembered as a cherished son, a loving brother, and a dear friend to many who knew him. His life was cut short in a sudden act of violence that left his family and community searching for answers.

On the evening of Saturday, April 18, 2009, Alex was spending time with a friend in San Francisco. At approximately 9:15 p.m., he was the passenger in a vehicle traveling northbound on Otsego Avenue. As the car neared the intersection of Santa Ynez Avenue in the city’s Mission Terrace neighborhood, shots were fired. Alex was struck multiple times by the gunfire. The driver of the vehicle immediately sped away from the scene and drove to the Ingleside police station to seek help. From there, Alex was rushed to San Francisco General Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The shooting was part of a tragically violent weekend in San Francisco, which saw a total of four homicides in different neighborhoods across the city. The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) immediately launched an investigation into Alex's murder. Homicide detectives canvassed the residential area of Otsego Avenue, a street lined with single-family homes, looking for witnesses and evidence. However, authorities did not release any description of a suspect or a suspect vehicle in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. The motive for the attack was not publicly identified.

In the years following the killing, the investigation has continued, but no arrests have been made. The case has grown cold, leaving Alex’s loved ones without closure or justice. The SFPD has not given up on finding those responsible for his death. The department's Homicide Detail continues to seek information from the public that could help them solve the case.

To encourage potential witnesses to come forward, the Office of the Mayor of San Francisco has authorized a significant reward. A $250,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of the suspect or suspects responsible for the murder of Alex Apalit. This substantial sum reflects the city's commitment to resolving the case and bringing a measure of peace to his grieving family.

As of April 2024, more than fifteen years after his death, Alexander Apalit’s murder remains unsolved. His case is listed among the cold cases being actively investigated by the SFPD. Authorities believe that someone may hold the key piece of information needed to break the case open. They continue to urge anyone who knows anything about the shooting on Otsego Avenue that night to come forward, assuring them that they can remain anonymous.

Anyone with information regarding the murder of Alex Apalit is encouraged to contact the San Francisco Police Department's Homicide Detail at (415) 553-1145. During non-business hours, tips can be directed to the Operations Center at (415) 553-1071. The SFPD also maintains a tip line at (415) 575-4444, or individuals can text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with "SFPD."