SAN FRANCISCO — Outrage has erupted in San Francisco’s Mission District after a beloved neighborhood cat named KitKat was reportedly killed by a self-driving Waymo taxi late Monday night.
KitKat, the friendly gray cat affectionately known as the “mayor of 16th Street,” had been a beloved fixture at Randa’s Market for years, greeting customers and keeping the local rodent population in check.
“He was one-of-a-kind,” said store owner Mike Zeidan. “He brought joy to so many people. Honestly, man, it’s difficult. People loved him.”
According to an anonymous complaint filed with the city’s 311 system, the autonomous Waymo vehicle struck KitKat around 11:30 p.m. near the market and did not slow down, swerve, or attempt to avoid the animal. The cat was found beneath the vehicle when it stopped moments later.
A store employee rushed the nine-year-old cat to an animal hospital, but he could not be saved. “The store won’t be the same without his little paws padding around,” Randa’s Market wrote in a heartfelt online tribute.
Witness Jeff Klein told Mission Local that the Waymo swerved ahead of him and a friend before he saw people screaming and pulling the cat from underneath the vehicle. “Waymos shouldn’t be on the street if they can’t spot small animals in the dark,” the 311 complaint said.
Waymo did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
KitKat, a former stray, began visiting Randa’s Market about six years ago. Nestled next to the historic Roxie Theater, the store quickly became his home, and he became a community favorite — featured in countless Instagram posts and Yelp reviews.
“He was made for a store like this,” Zeidan said. “Friendly with everyone, never afraid of dogs or anyone who came by.”
Locals have since built a memorial for KitKat outside the market, with candles, flowers, and handwritten signs expressing both grief and anger. One sign read, “Kill a Waymo! Save a Cat!” while another declared, “Kitty cats, not killer cars.”
Tributes also poured in online after the store announced KitKat’s passing. One user wrote, “@waymo, your safety features don’t include animals. We demand a review of the accident.” Another added, “It just won’t be the same walking into Randa’s Market and asking, ‘Where’s KitKat?’ He won’t be there anymore.”
Earlier this month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into thousands of Waymo’s self-driving cars after reports of the vehicles violating traffic safety laws, including incidents near school buses.
Waymo, a subsidiary of Google’s parent company Alphabet, operates thousands of driverless taxis in cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin — with plans to expand internationally.
As neighbors continue to visit the memorial, many say the tragedy has reignited questions about the safety and accountability of driverless technology on public streets.