Nationwide Outrage Ensues After Beloved Market Cat Killed By Robotaxi In San Francisco

By Joe Lombardi From Daily Voice

A driverless robotaxi struck and killed KitKat, the cherished market cat affectionately called the “Mayor of 16th Street,” sparking an outpouring of grief and outrage that has now spread from a busy California neighborhood to communities nationwide.

The collision happened Monday, Oct. 27, in San Francisco’s Mission District, near Randa’s Market, where KitKat greeted regulars and visitors alike for six years.

A video on TikTok of a sidewalk memorial set up for the 9-year-old tabby filled with candles, flowers, notes, treats, and toys has around four million views.

"He brought warmth, smiles, and comfort to everyone who walked through our doors," Randa's Market wrote in a post on Instagram that has thousands of likes. "Thank you to all who loved him as much as we did. The store won’t be the same without his little paws padding around."

Waymo said the vehicle was stopped to pick up passengers when the cat moved into its path as it began to pull away.

"We reviewed this, and while our vehicle was stopped to pick up passengers, a nearby cat darted under our vehicle as it was pulling away," Waymo said in a statement to San Francisco TV station KRON. "We send our deepest sympathies to the cat’s owner and the community who knew and loved him, and we will be making a donation to a local animal rights organization in his honor.”

Some witnesses offered differing accounts of the moments before the car moved, deepening frustration in the community. Comments on the incident along with memories of KitKat on social media, including San Francisco Reddit page.

The uproar has not stayed local. The story is now ricocheting across the internet, with emotions running hot as people debated the spread of robotaxis and accountability when machines are involved.

Many mourners say KitKat’s death underscores their safety concerns and the need for stricter rules.

City leaders are responding. San Francisco Supervisor Jackie Fielder called for new regulations on autonomous vehicles after the incident.

Community advocates are pressing for limits on where and when driverless cars can operate, citing a pattern of neighborhood disruptions and the need for clearer accountability when crashes harm pets or people.