Who would be so cruel as to throw an innocent dog into moving traffic to her death, let alone rob someone who was stopped on the side of the road? San Francisco police believe they can answer that question. They’ve identified a suspect in the incident.

The details are horrifying: While stopped in San Francisco’s notoriously neglected Tenderloin neighborhood, a woman was robbed, and when her dog, a beloved Pekingese named Roxy, started barking, the robber threw the animal into the street, where she was struck by a car and killed. The victim recounted being unable to sleep following the crime, its scene of violence constantly replaying in her mind.

While Roxy cannot replaced, her owner may be able to see justice served. Surveillance footage revealed the robber’s face, and a witness to the crime offered a $1,000 reward to help find the man responsible. The reward was later upped to $3,000.

Thanks to a tip, police say they believe the man in the video is Laurice Barrett, SFGate reported. This isn’t Barrett’s first run in with the law — the San Francisco Police Department has his mugshot from an earlier arrest on suspicion of domestic violence, battery, and false imprisonment. Those charges were dropped, but the mugshot remains, which the 30-year-old Tenderloin victim positively identified as the man who attacked her and killed her dog.

The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous out of fear for her safety, said she is “grateful” that a suspect in her attack has been named, but her feelings on his possible arrest leave her conflicted. She said that while she hopes someone turns Barrett in, the prospect of facing him in court makes her anxious.

“But at the end of the day, I am fighting for Roxy,” she told SFGate. “I’m her voice, I’m her mom. I want justice.”

Anyone with information regarding Barrett’s whereabouts is asked to call the SFPD’s anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444.

Here’s hoping justice will be served, and that we all remember to let kindness and compassion guide our actions and our thoughts. How do we make sure everyone gets to grow up in an environment where they learn about love and respect? How do we stop cycles of violence? We have the power to do it.

Via SFGate