Venture capitalist Matt Ocko also chimed in to say that San Francisco is "lawless," and that the “criminal-loving city council” has “literal blood on their hands.” Investor Jason Calacanis added that the city was run by “evil incompetent fools & grifters who accomplish nothing except enabling rampant violence.”

On Thursday, the prime suspect in Lee's murder was revealed as not a random street criminal, but a man he knew for years. It was also only the thirteenth murder logged in the city so far this year, according to police data, which matches the rate from last year.

After conservatives' interpretations of the killing and statistics on San Francisco had been proven wrong, Jenkins responded to the situation in a statement on the case, calling Musk out by name for his "reckless" remarks.

“Reckless and irresponsible statements like those contained in Mr. Musk’s tweet — that assumed incorrect circumstances about Mr. Lee’s death — served to mislead the world in its perceptions of San Francisco,” Jenkins said via NBC.

Conservative pundits love lambasting liberal cities as part of their larger rhetoric. After former president Donald Trump was indicted in New York City, far-right conspiracy theorist and Georgia representative Marjorie Taylor Greene went on Fox News not to speak on the historic occasion, but rather to chastise the city and its residents.

"It’s disgusting," she said of her visit. "It was repulsive, it smells bad. I think it's a very terrible place."

To MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan, remarks such as Greene's highlight a "double standard" within American politics. He said on Twitter that were roles to be reversed, such degrading comments would not be tolerated.

"On a serious note, no Democratic politician from the coasts could ever go visit a Republican-led city in the South, and then go on a liberal media outlet and call it repulsive, smelly, and disgusting. No way," Hasan wrote. "A reminder of the double standards, and asymmetry, in our politics and our media."

In cases such as San Francisco's, comments have real impact. Jenkins continued to say that misinformation can impede active homicide cases, as statements from Musk and other conservatives "negatively impact the pursuit of justice for victims of crime, as it spreads misinformation at a time when the police are trying to solve a very difficult case.”

“We all should and must do better about not contributing to the spread of such misinformation without having actual facts to underlie the statements that we make," she said. "Victims deserve that, and the residents of San Francisco deserve that."

None of the right-leaning commentators have retracted their statements on Lee's case, despite being proven unequivocally false. Perhaps conservatives aren't actually concerned with crime or their ongoing investigations — they may just feel disdain for liberals, and where they choose to live.

While media coverage of the prominent figure's death exacerbated discourse, to San Francisco Police Chief William Scott, the bottom line is simple.

“Some of the things that were said because of this case, I think were a little bit unfair,” he told NBC. “It’s one case. And I believe this would have happened anywhere.”