California Man Charged With Battery After Hosing Down Unhoused Woman

Gwin admitted to CBS San Francisco that it was indeed him in the video, which went viral and was shared across several news outlets.

Photo Credit: CBS San Francisco
Photo Credit: CBS San Francisco

An art gallery owner in San Francisco was arrested on January 18 after spraying a woman experiencing homelessness with a hose.

Cellphone footage recorded on January 9 showed Collin Gwin, 71, using a hose to directly spray the woman, who was sitting on the sidewalk outside of the gallery, with water. After several seconds, he stopped to tell her to move.

Gwin was charged with misdemeanor battery and could see up to six months in jail and a $2,000 fine, according to the San Francisco DA’s office. DA Brooke Jenkins called his actions “completely unacceptable.”

Gwin admitted to CBS San Francisco that it was indeed him in the video, which went viral and was shared across several news outlets.

“What they saw is very regrettable,” he said. “I feel awful, not just because I want to get out of trouble, or something like that, but because I'd put a tremendous amount of effort into helping this woman.”

The woman is now reportedly receiving assistance from the city's department of public health.