Family of woman killed in San Francisco.: We are focusing on healing, not politics
The parents of Kate Steinle, the 32-year-old woman killed at a San Francisco pier Wednesday, say they are not focusing on the politics of the case, but rather on healing and on honoring Ms. Steinle鈥檚 memory.
The man who shot her, Francisco Sanchez, has seven felony convictions and has been deported five times to his native Mexico, fueling debate over immigration policy. Jim Steinle, Kate鈥檚 father, however, said Friday, 鈥淲e鈥檙e not dwelling on that.鈥�
Her mother, Liz Sullivan, also said, "Everybody is trying to put the political spin on it. But it happened, and there is no taking it back."
Steinle was walking with her father and a family friend Wednesday evening at the city鈥檚 bustling Pier 14 when Mr. Sanchez shot her in a seemingly random act of violence. He was detained an hour later.
Sanchez鈥檚 most recent run-in with authorities was in March, when Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) turned him in to San Francisco officials for an outstanding drug warrant. He was released less than a month later without prosecution, since officials said the marijuana possession case was over a decade old.
Though ICE issued a detainer for Sanchez requesting that he only be released into the hands of immigration authorities, San Francisco鈥檚 sanctuary ordinance says undocumented migrants cannot be handed over to immigration officials without a warrant for their arrest. Freya Horne, counsel for the local sheriff鈥檚 department, said no active arrest warrant for Sanchez was found.
San Francisco resident Manuel Gabriel said he stopped by the pier Wednesday after seeing reports of the incident on the news. He said Sanchez鈥檚 immigration status should have no bearing on the crime; rather, his mental health is the primary issue at stake.
"US citizens also kill people," Mr. Gabriel said. "The issue shouldn't be whether or not he has documents. The question is why authorities would release someone who is not well mentally."鈥�
Steinle鈥檚 brother Brad set up a to collect donations for the Steinle family and for charities representing causes his sister cared about.
He Monday, echoing the sentiments of his parents.
鈥淎t a time like this 鈥� it would be easy for us to hate and be angry, but Kate wouldn鈥檛 want that so we鈥檙e trying to spread a message of love,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what Kate would want.鈥�
This report contains material from the Associated Press.
