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Murder Charge Filed in Fatal Stabbing of UCSF Social Worker at SF General’s Ward 86

Officials now pledge weapons screening and restricted access at the hospital.

Overview

  • San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins filed a murder charge against Wilfredo Tortolero Arriechi, with arraignment expected Tuesday, in the killing of social worker Alberto Rangel.
  • Rangel, 51, was a UCSF social worker at Ward 86, the hospital’s HIV clinic; he died Dec. 6 after being stabbed multiple times on Dec. 4.
  • Prosecutors say the suspect sought a doctor, appeared calm while speaking with Rangel, then allegedly grabbed him from behind near an elevator and stabbed him; a sheriff’s deputy intervened and a five‑inch knife was recovered.
  • Staff had warned supervisors about the patient in prior weeks and again that morning, and a deputy had been assigned to protect a threatened doctor, prompting unions to demand a full investigation and long‑term safety reforms.
  • The Department of Public Health and hospital leaders announced immediate security steps for Buildings 80/90, including more deputies and security staff, restricted entry points, interim wanding, expedited weapons‑detection systems, and updated protocols for high‑risk patients.