In his final moments, Colden Kimber did what came naturally to him — stepped in to help. What began as an ordinary day turned into a devastating tragedy, when the 28-year-old intervened to protect a woman and her two children from a stranger’s aggression. It cost him his life.
According to court documents, the fatal incident occurred on July 26, 2025, while Colden and his girlfriend were waiting for the K train on Ocean Avenue in San Francisco after having lunch. A man nearby began shouting at a mother and her two children, hurling comments like, “Oh, you think you’re better than me,” and “You’re scared of me.”
Seeing the confrontation escalate, Colden quietly stepped in, placing himself between the man and the family. As stated in court filings, he intended to be a barrier — “so should anything happen, [he] could intervene and protect those around him.”
Moments later, while Colden faced the arriving train, the attacker pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the neck. Prosecutors described the stabbing as “utterly unprovoked.”
Colden, a student at San Francisco State University studying kinesiology, was also a cyclist, hockey player, and beloved bike mechanic at American Cyclery, where he’d worked for three years.
“He was irreplaceable — not just at work, but in our lives,” said Bradley Woehl, the shop’s owner. “He brought kindness and light wherever he went.”
Friend Reuben Sawyer echoed the shock many felt: “It was horrific. Colden was the last person you’d expect this to happen to.”
The suspect, 29-year-old Sean Collins, has been charged with murder. His arraignment is scheduled for August 14. Authorities have also filed for a mental health evaluation, but results are still pending.
San Francisco Supervisor Chyanne Chen, whose district includes the scene of the attack, confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and being closely monitored in coordination with SFPD and SFMTA.
Despite emergency medical efforts at the scene, Colden did not survive.
In the days since, Colden’s family and community have united to honor his life. A memorial ride will be held September 7 around the Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park. His family also launched a GoFundMe, organized by his mother, Lara Litchfield-Kimber, to fund memorials in both San Francisco and New York, and to assist with legal costs. It has already raised over $109,000 toward its $120,000 goal.
Lara said Colden’s final act of bravery was true to who he was. “He would have done it without a second thought,” she told The San Francisco Standard. “He was always protective — of his sister, of me, of others.”
She revealed Colden had texted his 23-year-old sister just moments before the incident. On Facebook, she thanked the public for their support and changed her cover photo to a picture of Mount Colden, one of her son’s favorite hiking spots — coincidentally damaged by a mudslide just nine days before his death.
Online, Colden’s friends and community continue to post heartfelt tributes. One friend wrote, “There’s no making sense of this. No words for the pain. We’ll miss you forever, Colden.”
His cycling team, Dolce Vita Cycling, shared a moving tribute on Instagram, saying Colden’s character set him apart in a sport often focused on the individual. “He died protecting others — and that tells you everything you need to know about him.”
Whether it was fixing bikes, mentoring riders, or stepping in during a crisis, Colden Kimber lived a life defined by quiet courage and generosity. His final act wasn’t just brave — it was who he was.