Beloved Bodega Cat KitKat Killed by Waymo Vehicle in San Francisco

San Francisco, CA — A beloved bodega cat known as KitKat was reportedly killed by a Waymo autonomous vehicle near 16th Street on Monday night.

KitKat, who was nine years old, was found gravely injured on the street early Tuesday morning. Eyewitness Jeff Klein told Mission Local he saw the Waymo swerve in front of him while driving eastbound on 16th Street around 11:40 p.m. on Monday. “Some folks on the sidewalk started yelling and grabbed the cat right out from under where the Waymo swerved from,” he recounted in an email.

A 311 complaint filed shortly after the incident claimed that the Waymo hit KitKat while he was sitting next to the sidewalk and did not attempt to stop. Waymo has not yet responded to requests for comments.

Delirium bartender Jessica Chapdelaine expressed her grief, stating, “Everyone’s heartbroken. I’ve been crying all fucking day and night. He was everyone’s best friend and just the sweetest boy.”

KitKat was a fixture at Randa’s Market, where he was known for greeting customers and receiving treats. Patrons would often pet him or bring offerings, including his namesake candy bars and tequila.

In the evening, about 15 people gathered outside Randa’s to honor KitKat’s memory. They created an altar decorated with candles, food, and a sign that read, “Kill a Waymo! Save a Cat!”

Sheau-Wha Mau, who was running karaoke at Delirium during the incident, remembered rushing outside to find KitKat with a broken leg and spitting blood. After transporting him to a veterinarian, Mau witnessed the community’s shock and mourning at KitKat’s passing.

“He was like our little security guard,” Chapdelaine said, summarizing the cat’s important role in the neighborhood. Many described KitKat as the ‘neighborhood ambassador,’ a title that reflected his place in the hearts of local residents and business owners.

Owner Mike Zeidan, who was devastated by the loss, said it was too painful to discuss the accident at this time. The mourning community in the Mission District continues to share memories of KitKat, mourning the loss of their cherished cat.