Sources: Gun That Killed Woman on SF Pier 14 Possibly Stolen From Federal Agent

By AUTUMN JOHNSON

Multiple media outlets this week are reporting that the gun used in a shooting that killed 32-year-old Kathryn Steinle as she walked along popular San Francisco Pier 14 may be a stolen weapon that belonged to a federal agent.

Both SFGate and the Associated Press have reported that a law enforcement source close to the investigation says a .40-caliber pistol was stolen from a Bureau of Land Management agent’s car before the shooting.

San Francisco police Spokeswoman Officer Grace Gatpandan said that her office is unable to confirm reports that the gun allegedly used by the suspect belonged to a federal agent.

Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, who is on probation out of Texas and is an undocumented immigrant who has been deported five times, was charged with Kate Steinle’s murder. Lopez-Sanchez pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder with malice aforethought in a San Francisco courtroom on Tuesday.

Steinle, a Pleasanton native and San Francisco resident, was with her family around 6:30 p.m. on July 1 at Pier 14, just off the Embarcadero in the city’s South Beach neighborhood, when she was struck by gunfire from a large caliber weapon, according to police.

Matt Gonzalez, the chief attorney at the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office, said at Lopez-Sanchez’s arraignment Tuesday afternoon that the death of Steinle was tragic but that “very likely this was an accidental shooting.”

Previous:

• Family of Pleasanton Woman Fatally Shot in SF Pier Starts Fundraiser to Support Causes She Loved
• Parolee Arrested in Murder of Woman Strolling With Family At Popular San Francisco Pier
• Woman Shot, Killed in Broad Daylight Near SF Ferry Building Identified
• Pleasanton Woman Fatally Shot at Pier 14 in San Francisco

In a jailhouse interview with ABC7 KGO News on Sunday, Lopez-Sanchez admitted to shooting Steinle but says it was an accident. During the interview, Lopez-Sanchez says the gun accidentally fired three times after he found it wrapped in a t-shirt.

The tragic shooting has provoked heated national debate over San Francisco’s Sanctuary City Policy. Government officials, law enforcement representatives, the public and even Donald Trump have weighed in on the policy.

Read more here:

• Senator Feinstein, SFPOA Argue SF Pier 14 Homicide was Avoidable
  
• Undocumented Immigrant Charged with Killing Woman at SF Pier Reignites National Debate on Sanctuary Cities

Locals who knew Steinle were stunned and saddened last week as news of her death quickly spread throughout the community. Steinle grew up in Pleasanton and graduated from Amador Valley High.

A memorial made up of flowers in Steinle’s honor could be found at Pier 14 over the weekend. Friends and family gathered along the waterfront on Thursday to remember and mourn the woman described as “amazing, compassionate and energetic.”

Steinle’s family has been devastated since her death. Her brother, Brad Steinle, started a GoFundMe page in honor of his beloved sister earlier this week. Her family told reporters they are touched by the support from the community.

Many of those who knew Steinle posted condolences on social media after news of her death spread through Pleasanton.

Rachel Duarte Silvey wrote via Pleasanton Patch Facebook comments: “All my thoughts and prayers are with the Steinle family. Kate was a beautiful person inside and out. The sweetest soul I’ve ever met. May she rest in peace.”

Kristen Frantz wrote, “Omg... rip Katie.”

Ana Schuster said, “So sad to hear this. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Steinle family. My husband and I knew Katie and her brother growing up in Pleasanton. Heartbreaking.”

Bay City News contributed to this report.

Photo screenshot of Kathryn Steinle’s Facebook page.