$10K reward for stabbing death info

The mayor hopes his appeal will jog some memories.

"For example, the car may have pulled out and cut someone off," Newsom said. "Those kinds of things could be a real break for us.''

As many as five people were in a white, 1980s four-door sedan, possibly a Toyota Corolla, parked on Terry A. Francois Boulevard when Griffith and his friends walked by on the way to their car around 10 p.m. Friday.

Griffith, a 21-year-old from Redwood City, accidentally bumped against a rearview mirror on the car, police said. That apparently prompted the three suspects to follow him and his friends a short distance before attacking.

Griffith was stabbed twice in the heart, his mother said Monday.

Ortega was beaten unconscious and treated for his injuries at San Francisco General Hospital, according to police.

One of their friends helped police develop the sketches released yesterday morning, police said, but investigators who have received "half a dozen'' calls about the incident believe many more witnesses to the fight are out there.

Inspector Dan Everson asked how three suspects from a fight with as many as four other people could have gotten back into their car and left the scene unnoticed in post-game traffic. "People didn't want to see,'' Everson said.

Griffith's parents Monday pleaded for people who did see - the suspects, their car, the fight or anything unusual in the area - to come forward.

"Even though it might seem insignificant to you, please call the hotline,'' the victim's mother, Stacey Redman, said.

"Just that little bit that someone may have heard or seen'' can be helpful, Police Chief Heather Fong said.

Police are not commenting on reports that the suspects shouted out an Excelsior District gang affiliation, saying only that possible gang connections are part of the investigation into Griffith's death.

Police are reviewing footage from cameras that were in SBC Park during the game, looking for any sign of the suspects, and meeting with park officials to discuss passing out leaflets with the sketches at upcoming games, Everson said.

He said one witness has told police he saw one of the suspects twice inside the park.

Police also plan to increase patrols in the SBC Park area after games, Everson said. No traffic control officers or other security forces were in the area of the fatal fight on Friday night, he said.

The suspect who stabbed Griffith to death is described as a 21- to 23-year-old man standing 6 feet tall with a thin build. He had a dark complexion, a shaved head, a thin goatee and moustache and protruding ears, police said.

Another suspect is about the same age, 5 feet 10 inches tall with a medium build and light complexion. He had a light moustache and long hair rolled into a bun, according to police.

The third suspect is said to be 22 or 23 years old, standing 6 feet 4 inches tall with a medium build and light complexion. Police said he was clean-shaven with very short hair.

The family spent Monday preparing funeral arrangement. Services will be held 11:30 a.m. Friday at St. Peter's Episcopal church in Redwood City. Since Griffith loved animals, donations can be made to Pets in Need.

Anyone with information on the case is urged to call an anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444.