Tech Worker Arrested over Cash App Founder, Bob Lee’s Death

By Nurat Uthman

Police have arrested a self-described tech entrepreneur, 38-year-old Nima Momeni, over the fatal stabbing of Cash App founder, Bob Lee, in San Francisco.

In a news conference on Thursday, San Francisco Police Department chief, William Scott announced Momeni’s arrest.

The Police chief said Momeni had been charged with murder and was now in custody at the San Francisco County Jail. However, he did not elaborate on how Lee and the suspect knew each other.

Prosecutors are seeking to hold Momeni without bail with an arraignment hearing scheduled for Friday.

“The suspect is from Emeryville, California. Mr Lee and Mr Momeni knew each other,” police said.

It would be recalled that Police found Lee, 43, unconscious with stab wounds on 4 April near San Francisco’s city centre where he died in hospital from his injuries.

Scott said the “case is not closed despite the arrest, and an investigation is ongoing into Mr Lee’s death.”

Mission Local, a regional news outlet, first reported on the arrest and identified the suspect as someone who works in the tech industry.

Citing Police sources, Mission Local reported Lee and the suspect were in a vehicle together and had an altercation before Lee was stabbed.

Police officers first responded to reports of the stabbing at around 02:35 local time (09:35 GMT) on 4 April.

The San Francisco Standard viewed CCTV footage that shows Lee walking down a deserted alleyway, seemingly looking for help.

He is seen stumbling towards a parked car and lifting up his shirt to reveal his wound, but the vehicle drives off before the tech entrepreneur falls to the ground.

Police found Lee unconscious in the Rincon Hill neighbourhood with two stab wounds to his chest, and started to administer aid before rushing him to the hospital.

He was the chief product officer of the cryptocurrency company, MobileCoin.

Lee is also credited with founding Cash App, a smartphone-based platform that allows person-to-person money transfers. The app is popular in the US and is worth $40bn, according to Forbes.

His death garnered many tributes from figures in the US tech industry.

It also ignited criticism against authorities in San Francisco for their response to the city’s violent crime.