A fellow tech entrepreneur has been arrested for the fatal stabbing of Cash App founder Bob Lee in San Francisco on April 4.
Nima Momeni, 38, owner of Expand IT, was arrested on suspicion of murder by San Francisco Police on Thursday morning.
Lee, 43, was captured on surveillance video after the stabbing, staggering, and asking for help.
The two men reportedly knew each other. San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin told NBC News that “apparently” the murder was “not a random act.”
“At the intersection with Harrison Street, a short walk from the iconic Embarcadero waterfront, he steps in front of a car and appears to lean over the hood pleading for assistance,” the Daily Mail reported. “The interaction lasted around seconds but the driver of the unidentified red vehicle shockingly drives away.”
Lee made other attempts to get help but was unsuccessful. He also called 9-1-1 and screamed “Help! Someone stabbed me.”
The Cash App founder was found alive but with critical stab wounds by police at 2:35 a.m. in downtown San Francisco.
“The victim was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Despite efforts by first responders and medical personnel, the victim succumbed to his injuries,” the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) said.
According to a report from the San Francisco Chronicle, “Alameda County court records show that in 2011 he was charged with allegedly selling a switchblade knife and driving with a suspended license, both misdemeanors. He pleaded no contest to the suspended license charge the following year and the knife charge was dismissed. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail as well as three years of probation, fined more than $900 and ordered to destroy the knife.”
“Additionally, Momeni was charged with a misdemeanor in 2004 for allegedly driving while intoxicated,” the report continued.
Police arrived at Momeni’s Emeryville home shortly after 5 a.m. A neighbor told the paper that he was awoken by a loud speaker blaring, “We have a warrant for your arrest. Come out with your hands up.” He said that the officers were in full swat gear.
Neighbors all seemed shocked and said nice things about Momeni, describing him as “warm and welcoming” and a “super nice guy.”
