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Shooting in San Francisco, California, July 1, 2015

Kate Steinle, 32

Out for a walk with her father on Pier 14 in San Francisco's Embarcadero district.

Sanctuary policyUndocumented
  1. Original charge
    Federal illegal re-entry (sentence completed); marijuana hold (DA dropped)
    March 26, 2015
  2. Released
    ICE detainer declined per SF sanctuary ordinance
    April 15, 2015
  3. 77 days later
    Shooting
    July 1, 2015

What happened

Steinle was walking on Pier 14 with her father when she was struck in the back by a bullet that ricocheted off the concrete. Garcia Zarate said he found the gun (stolen from a federal agent's vehicle) wrapped in cloth under a bench and that it discharged accidentally. Acquitted of murder/manslaughter in 2017; convicted in federal court of being a felon in possession. Sentenced to time served.

The release decision

On March 26, 2015, Jose Inez Garcia Zarate was charged with federal illegal re-entry (sentence completed); marijuana hold (da dropped). San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi (Sheriff at time) ordered the release on April 15, 2015. Terms: ice detainer declined per sf sanctuary ordinance. Prosecutors had asked for ice: hold for deportation. The defendant had 7 prior arrests at the time.

The defendant's record

Seven prior felony convictions. Five prior deportations. Just completed a 46-month federal sentence for illegal re-entry. Transferred to SF jail to face a 20-year-old marijuana charge that the DA then dropped.

Sources