The social worker who was the victim of a grisly stabbing attack on Thursday at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center has died, according to the Department of Public Health.
Sheriff’s deputies recovered a 5-inch kitchen knife that was believed to have been used in the attack. The department said the suspect, 34-year-old Wilfredo Tortolero Arriechi, had been in the hospital for a scheduled appointment and had reportedly made prior threats to a doctor at the hospital.
Arriechi is now being charged on suspicion of murder. He was previously taken into custody on Thursday in connection with the attack.
“We have witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of love and kindness from staff, patients, and community members,” DPH said in a statement. “Their dedication to serving others was evident in every aspect of their work, and they will be deeply missed.”
The stabbing attack happened in Ward 86, the hospital’s long-term HIV care. A source at the hospital said that in contrast to SF General’s main entrances, that building did not have a weapons detection system.
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The attack highlights perennial concerns at San Francisco’s only safety-net hospital. The number of Sheriff’s Department staff posted at SF General has dropped from 45 in 2022 to 28, according to the San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs Association. The change was made due to purported inequities (opens in new tab) in how force was used against the hospital’s patient population.
The Department of Public Health and its head of security, Basil Price, implemented a plan that replaced sworn sheriff’s officers with additional healthcare workers and sheriff cadets trained in healthcare security.
Members of the sheriff’s department, as well as members of hospital staff, previously told DPH leaders about how they feared the changes would lead to more security risks.
Front-line social workers have previously raised the alarm about issues related to unsafe work conditions and understaffing.
UPTE-CWA 9119, the union that represents UCSF social workers, is calling for a full investigation into what led to the attack.
“We at UPTE-CWA 9119 are devastated to learn of the death of a remarkable, compassionate, and dedicated social worker, who was beloved by their family, friends, colleagues, and fellow union members,” Dan Russell, the union’s president, said in a statement. “Our hearts, thoughts, and support are with the victim’s family, friends, coworkers, and everyone affected by this tragedy.”
DPH said that the assault has deeply impacted the public health and hospital community, and that they will reevaluate their security systems, and investigate why they failed on this occasion.
“This tragic event underscores the urgency of our ongoing efforts to strengthen protections for every member of our workforce,” the agency said in a statement. We are committed to doing everything necessary to ensure that no one fears for their safety while providing care to the people of San Francisco.”
SF General said in the aftermath of the killing, the hospital is taking immediate measures to tighten security and protect patients and staff, including restricting access to the facility where the attack occurred, imposing more stringent security protocols, and posting additional sheriff’s deputies at the location.
The hospital said it is also speeding up the installation of a weapons detection system at the site.