At a Glance
- No charges will be filed against Shireen Afkari after her December arrest outside Hazie’s restaurant
- Afkari was fired by Strava; bartender Miguel Marchese was also terminated
- Police say public-intoxication arrests are not referred to prosecutors
- Why it matters: The incident shows how a single viral moment can upend multiple careers within days
A viral confrontation outside a San Francisco restaurant that ricocheted across social media will not result in criminal charges, according to police, but the fallout has already cost two people their jobs.
The December 13 disturbance at Hazie’s in Hayes Valley began when customer Shireen Afkari started arguing with staff while filming on her phone. The clash spilled onto the sidewalk and also involved her apparent boyfriend, prompting a 911 call and eventual arrest.
No Prosecution on the Horizon
The San Francisco Police Department confirmed that public intoxication was the sole charge lodged that night. Department spokesperson Allison Maxie told SFGATE that cases carrying only that charge are never forwarded to the district attorney.
> “For arrests with the singular charge of public intoxication there is no protocol to refer these cases to the District Attorney,” Maxie said. “The subject was arrested solely for public intoxication.”
Because the case was not referred for prosecution, court action is considered extremely unlikely.
Career Fallout Moves Fast
Within days of the video’s spread online, Strava announced Afkari’s termination. The fitness-tracking company posted a mid-December statement saying it “doesn’t condone violence of any kind and this does not reflect the standards we expect of our team.” Executives added they had “made the decision to end the individual’s employment.”
Consequences extended to restaurant staff as well. Hazie’s let bartender Miguel Marchese go after management claimed he had become an insurance liability for tripping the woman during the melee, according to SFGATE reporting cited by News Of Los Angeles.
Marchese told the outlet he refused to sign a severance agreement that would have paid him $5,000.
Timeline of a Viral Moment
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec. 13, 2025 | Confrontation erupts at Hazie’s; Afkari films staff, argument escalates outside |
| Dec. 13, 2025 | Police arrest Afkari for public intoxication |
| Mid-December | Strava announces Afkari’s firing; Marchese is terminated by Hazie’s |
| Jan. 21, 2026 | Police confirm no charges will be pursued |
Lingering Questions
The quick sequence-arrest, online outrage, corporate statements, and terminations-has rekindled debate over how employers should respond when employees appear in viral videos. Critics argue that instant judgments can eclipse due process, while supporters of the firings say companies have a right to protect their brands.
Daniel J. Whitman reported for News Of Los Angeles that police declined additional comment beyond the initial confirmation that the matter was closed.
Key Takeaways
- Public-intoxication arrests rarely advance to court in San Francisco
- Two people lost jobs within weeks despite no criminal prosecution
- Viral footage continues to drive rapid corporate personnel decisions
- The restaurant and the fitness-app maker both acted before legal resolution
The episode illustrates how swiftly a single smartphone video can reshape reputations and livelihoods, even when the justice system takes no further action.
