U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed on May 2 that Wilfredo Jose Tortolero-Arriechi, the suspect in a fatal stabbing at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, is a Venezuelan national who entered the United States illegally in 2023.
According to ICE, Tortolero-Arriechi was released into the country after being encountered by U.S. Border Patrol agents, under what officials described as current federal 'catch-and-release' policies. The agency said he later traveled to California before allegedly committing a deadly attack on Dec. 4 that resulted in the death of Alberto Rangel two days later.
"Tortolero-Arriechi illegally entered the U.S. in 2023, was let go under the Biden administration’s catch-and-release policies, and ended up in the sanctuary city where Gavin Newsom was once mayor and Kamala Harris was the district attorney," said ICE Director Todd M. Lyons.
Authorities reported that prior to Rangel's death, Tortolero-Arriechi had allegedly threatened his doctor and several staff members at the hospital. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of homicide and use of a deadly weapon following his arrest.
Tortolero-Arriechi remains held at San Francisco County Jail while awaiting trial. ICE stated it lodged an immigration detainer against him on Dec. 11 and called for local authorities to honor this request once judicial proceedings are complete.
The agency encouraged anyone with information about crimes or suspicious activity to contact them by phone or through their online tip form.
