Man killed near elementary school in San Francisco Chinatown

A man was found slain on the sidewalk along Joice Street on Sunday morning in San Francisco’s Chinatown. A man was found slain on the sidewalk along Joice Street on Sunday morning in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Photo: / Photo: / Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close Man killed near elementary school in San Francisco Chinatown 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

A homeless man was found slain Sunday morning in an alley next to the historic Cameron House in San Francisco’s Chinatown, officials said.

The victim was not identified, but his family is from China, officials said. He was reportedly found around 8:30 a.m. on the sidewalk along Joice Street between Clay and Sacramento streets.

Police have not released details about the circumstances or possible motive for the killing, and no suspect was immediately identified or arrested.

Workers in the area Monday morning described a grisly scene the day prior.

Palma You, the gallery coordinator at the Chinese Historical Society, said an employee who was parking in the alley found the body that morning.

“She’s traumatized,” You said, as she placed notices on cars, warning neighbors about the homicide. “It was very violent.”

The victim was in a large cardboard box next to Cameron House’s basketball courts, You said, and there was blood from an apparent head wound.

The alley where the victim was found is a hub for the Chinatown community. Gordon J. Lau Elementary School and Willie “Woo Woo” Wong Playground are each less than a block away in either direction.

Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky