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Murder Charge Filed in Fatal Stabbing of UCSF Social Worker at SF General

City officials ordered an outside security review with immediate access controls after staff reported prior warnings about the patient.

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An outside security firm will conduct a third party investigation into the circumstances that led to Alberto Rangel's death. Photo by Mariana Garcia.
Mourners gather at a statue in front of S.F. General Hospital for a vigil in memory of Alberto Rangel on Dec. 7, 2025. Photo by Mariana Garcia.

Overview

  • District Attorney Brooke Jenkins charged Wilfredo Tortolero Arriechi with murder and an allegation of personal use of a knife in the Dec. 4 killing of social worker Alberto Rangel at Ward 86.
  • The suspect is being held without bail and missed his initial court appearance because he is in the hospital’s psychiatric ward, with arraignment postponed to Dec. 16.
  • Prosecutors say the suspect appeared calm before allegedly grabbing Rangel from behind near an elevator and stabbing him multiple times; a five-inch kitchen knife was recovered.
  • The SFPD Homicide Detail is leading the investigation, and a sheriff’s deputy assigned to protect a threatened doctor intervened and detained the suspect.
  • The Department of Public Health announced an independent security review and immediate steps including restricted entrances to Buildings 80/90, interim metal-detection wanding, expedited weapons-detection systems, and added deputy and security staffing as unions press for broader accountability.