Social Worker Dies Following Stabbing at San Francisco General Hospital
A social worker has died from injuries sustained in a stabbing at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital adn Trauma Center on Thursday, sparking renewed concerns about staff safety. The 31-year-old victim, whose name has not been released, succumbed to their wounds saturday.
The attack occurred around 1:30 p.m.Investigators say Wilfredo Tortolero Arriechi, 34, stabbed the social worker multiple times in the neck and shoulder. Tortolero Arriechi was reportedly seeking a specific doctor at the hospital, according to reports from the san Francisco Chronicle.
prior to the incident, hospital staff had requested increased security for a physician at Ward 86, the hospital’s HIV clinic, after receiving threats from a patient. Tortolero Arriechi was known to staff as a regular patient at Ward 86 and had allegedly made threats to a doctor beforehand, the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office stated.
A sheriff’s deputy stationed at the hospital for security purposes responded to the attack but was unable to prevent the injuries. A five-inch kitchen knife was recovered at the scene.
The University Professional and Technical Employees, the union representing the victim, expressed deep sorrow and highlighted long-standing safety concerns. ”workers have been assaulted, traumatized, and forced to deal with unsafe working conditions for far too long,” saeid union president Dan russell in a statement. He described the victim as a “remarkable, compassionate, and dedicated social worker” beloved by colleagues and friends.
Tortolero Arriechi was arrested following the attack and initially booked on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, mayhem, and being armed during the commission of a felony. The San Francisco homicide detail is now leading the investigation and has announced they will be updating the charges filed against Tortolero Arriechi.
