"The alleged battery of an unhoused member of our community is completely unacceptable," Jenkins wrote. "Mr. Gwin will face appropriate consequences for his actions."

The video from the January 9 incident shows Gwin dousing the woman, known to homeless service providers and officials as “Q", demanding that she "move." Both police and the San Francisco Street Crisis Response Team arrived on the scene and spoke with Gwin and the woman, who declined to press charges at the time.

Outpouring responses from viewers online prompted a response from both lawyers groups and the American Civil Liberties Union, who called on "City officials, press, and residents, to honor unhoused people’s rights and increase the kindness and humanity that helps prevent violence."

Before his arrest, Gwin told San Francisco TV station ABC7 that he is "deeply apologetic," and that he is "not equipped or trained to deal with a city-wide problem."

“I know it’s very hard to watch. I can only ask others to maybe better understand my breaking point," he said.

Gwin's apology came days after he told The San Francisco Chronicle: “So am I sorry? I’m only sorry that … my way of helping her countlessly has gotten nothing done."

San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin, also condemned Gwin's actions via Twitter, calling it an "unconscionable assault."

“My office is well acquainted w/ the victim + have been trying for many months to get her support," he wrote, continuing, “We know that women, esp those living w/ mental illness, are vulnerable to street violence. ... It’s not North Beach, it’s not who we are as a community + we won’t tolerate ‘vigilante’ attacks."

If convicted, Gwin could be sentenced to six months in jail and a $2,000 fine.