Cash App founder stabbed – latest: Bob Lee argued over Nima Momeni’s sister before murder, court told

Nima Momeni was arrested on Thursday – one week after Cash App owner Bob Lee was discovered in the Rincon Hill area of San Francisco after being fatally stabbed

Bob Lee, former Square chief technology officer and Cash App founder, killed in San Francisco

Cash app founder Bob Lee was allegedly stabbed following an argument about his suspected killer’s sister, according to court papers.

Nima Momeni, 38, is accused of stabbing the 43-year-old tech executive three times with a four-inch kitchen knife, including twice in the chest, the documents state, according to NBC News.

Prosecutors say that at some point during the incident, Mr Momeni’s sister sent a text to Lee, which stated, “Just wanted to make sure your doing ok Cause know nima came wayyyyyy down hard on you.”

Nima Momeni appeared in court for the first time on Friday after the case sparked a furious debate about public safety in San Francisco.

The suspect was wearing an orange sweatshirt and sweatpants as his sister and another woman held up their hands in the shape of a heart as the suspect smiled at them.

“The facts will come out, what’s basically in the press is inaccurate,” Mr Momeni’s stand-in lawyer told the press.

In a press conference announcing Mr Momeni’s arrest for murder on Thursday, San Francisco officials confirmed that the two men knew each other but declined to provide details.

Lee’s family friend later told The San Francisco Chronicle that the two tech executives are thought to have known each other through Mr Momeni’s sister, who Lee had recently gotten to know.

The two men were hanging out together on the night of the fatal stabbing, the friend said.

Key Points

• Suspect reported to have asked neighbour for alcohol on night of stabbing
• Momeni left Iran with mother sometime after 1979 Iranian revolution
• PR executive says suspect was a ‘very nice, welcoming guy'
• Woman entered apartment building and screamed suspect’s name night before stabbing
• Cash app founder’s murder suspect smiles at family in first court appearance

[13 April 2023 18:57 · Graeme Massie]

Bob Lee’s brother welcomes arrest in killing

We’re thankful for the SFPD for bringing this person to justice so quickly. We look forward to working with District Attorney’s office to prosecute the case. Hopefully now our family can begin the healing process. I also want to thank the thousands of friends, family, and community that have reached out with support over the last week,” Tim Oliver Lee posted on Facebook.

[13 April 2023 19:16 · Graeme Massie]

Neighbours stunned at Nima Momeni’s arrest

WATCH: Longtime PR person @SamSinger speaks about Nima Momeni, the reported suspect in the Bob Lee killing, in an interview with our media partners @abc7news.

Momeni was Singer’s neighbor at a live/work space in Emeryville where Singer has an office. pic.twitter.com/j8hZfc9FO1

— The San Francisco Standard (@sfstandard) April 13, 2023

[13 April 2023 20:19 · Graeme Massie]

Nima Momeni’s criminal history

In 2011, Alameda County court records show that he was charged with allegedly selling a switchblade knife and driving with a suspended license, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Mr Momeni pleaded no contest to the suspended license charge in 2012, and the knife charge was dismissed.

He was sentenced to 10 days in jail as well as three years of probation, received a fine of more than $900 and was ordered to destroy the knife.

The Chronicle also reported that in 2004 he was charged with a misdemeanour for allegedly driving while intoxicated.

[13 April 2023 20:39 · Graeme Massie]

Police holding press conference in San Francisco

Officials in San Francisco will give more details on the arrest of a suspect in the Bob Lee murder.

[13 April 2023 20:42 · Graeme Massie]

Police confirm Nima Momeni charged with murder

Officials say that Mr Momeni was taken into custody in Emeryville, California, on 13 April “without incident.”

[13 April 2023 21:31 · Graeme Massie]

San Francisco DA slams Elon Musk as ‘reckless and irresponsible’ after tech executive arrested for Bob Lee murder

[14 April 2023 01:03 · Graeme Massie]

Timeline of Bob Lee murder

Lee, a much-loved member of the San Francisco tech community, was known as ‘Crazy Bob’.

[14 April 2023 02:05 · Graeme Massie]

What we know about the murder of Cash App founder Bob Lee

Beloved tech entrepreneur and father of two, Bob Lee’s murder has reignited the ongoing debate over crime in San Francisco.

[14 April 2023 03:08 · Graeme Massie]

‘The blame-the-homeless tech elites ... should feel ashamed’

The editor-in-chief of the MIT Technology Review, Mat Honan, tweeted on Thursday that “the blame-the-homeless tech elites that rushed to politicize Bob Lee’s murder should feel ashamed. I’m sure they won’t, but they should”.

[14 April 2023 04:14 · Graeme Massie]

District attorney Brooke Jenkins slams Elon Musk over murder tweets

“While we’re not going to release any additional facts at this time, I must point out that reckless and irresponsible statements like those contained Mr Musk’s tweet that assume incorrect circumstances about Mr Lee’s death served to mislead the world in their perceptions of San Francisco and also negatively impact the pursuit of justice for victims of crime as it spreads misinformation at a time when the police are trying to solve a very difficult case,” she said at a press conference on Thursday.

Following the murder the Tesla CEO had criticised the city for its “horrific” crime rates.

“Many people I know have been severely assaulted,” said the billionaire. “Violent crime in SF is horrific and even if attackers are caught, they are often released immediately.”