A social worker died Saturday from injuries sustained in a stabbing attack earlier this week at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, raising concerns about hospital safety.
Investigators believe Wilfredo Tortolero Arriechi stabbed the 31-year-old social worker multiple times in the neck and shoulder around 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Tortolero Arici was allegedly seeking a doctor who worked at the clinic, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
The victim has not yet been identified.
Shortly before the attack, hospital staff asked for more security for a doctor who was threatened by a patient in Ward 86 of the HIV clinic.
Deputy sheriffs who were there to provide security heard the attack and intervened, but not in time to prevent the fatal injury. A five-inch kitchen knife was recovered at the scene.
Dan Russell, president of the University’s Professional and Technical Employees, said in a statement that the union representing victims “has been raising alarms about serious safety issues at San Francisco General Hospital for years.”
“Workers have been assaulted, traumatized and forced to work in unsafe working conditions for too long,” he said.
He said union members were “devastated to learn of the death of an outstanding, compassionate and dedicated social worker who was much loved by his family, friends, colleagues and union members.”
According to the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office, 34-year-old Tortolero Arriechi was at a hospital appointment when he reportedly made threats to the doctor beforehand. He was known to hospital staff and regular visitors to Ward 86, Mission Local reported.
Tortolero Arriechi was arrested shortly after the attack and booked into the San Francisco County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, causing injury and carrying a weapon during the commission of a felony.
San Francisco homicide details are leading the investigation and said Saturday they would update charges in the case.
