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SF General Social Worker Killed in Ward 86 Stabbing as Officials Pledge Security Overhaul

City health officials pledge immediate security upgrades following staff warnings.

Overview

  • The victim was identified by colleagues as Alberto Rangel, 51, a UCSF social worker at Ward 86, with vigils and a fundraiser held in his memory.
  • Police arrested 34-year-old Wilfredo Tortolero Arriechi at the scene; he was initially booked on charges including attempted murder, with the SFPD Homicide Detail reviewing charges after the death.
  • Deputies recovered a five-inch kitchen or steak knife believed to be the weapon, and officials said a deputy intervened and restrained the suspect during the attack.
  • Staff had repeatedly raised concerns about the patient and had requested a deputy after threats to a doctor, and the clinic previously did not have weapons screening.
  • The Department of Public Health and the hospital are adding security personnel, restricting access points, implementing temporary wanding, expediting weapons-detection systems, and conducting a systemwide review and root-cause analysis.