Family of Pleasanton Woman Fatally Shot in SF Pier Starts Fundraiser to Support Causes She Loved

By AUTUMN JOHNSON

The brother of Pleasanton native Kate Steinle, who was fatally shot last Wednesday evening while walking with her father at Pier 14 in San Francisco, has started a GoFundMe page on honor of his beloved sister. The page has garnered $11,655 since it was launched by Brad Steinle two days ago.

In memory of Kate Steinle. I am Kate’s big brother Brad. And days ago the most loving, beautiful, and amazing person was taken from us...my best friend, my love, my sister. Kate had a special soul, a kind and giving heart, the most contagious laugh I have ever heard and smile I have ever seen. Kate loved to laugh, travel, spend time with friends, and most of all loved her family.

Please remember every day that love is all that matters. Loving friends, loving life, and most of all loving your family.

Locals who knew Steinle were stunned and saddened last week as news of Steinle’s death quickly spread throughout the community. Steinle, 32, 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 in San Francisco over the weekend. Friends and family gathered along the waterfront on Thursday to remember and mourn the woman described as “amazing, compassionate and energetic.”

Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, an undocumented immigrant deported five times, has been charged with Steinle’s murder.

Previous:

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

Steinle 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, San Francisco Police Sgt. Michael Andraychak said. Andraychak said medics found her suffering from at least one gunshot wound to the upper torso and transported her to San Francisco General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

No words were exchanged and there did not appear to be any connection between the victim and the suspect, according to Andraychak. He described the shooting as a “very random act.” Witnesses at the scene photographed the man and later their pictures helped lead to his arrest, Andraychak said.

Sanchez was detained within an hour as a “possible person of interest” after police located him walking near the corner of Embarcadero and Townsend Street, a few blocks from Pier 14. Lopez-Sanchez, 45, who was on probation out of Texas, is in custody and has been formally charged with murder. His arraignment has been scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, according to the district attorney’s office.

Update:

• Senator Feinstein, SFPOA Argue SF Pier 14 Homicide was Avoidable

Bay City News contributed to this report.

Video embed courtesy ABC 7 News

Photo courtesy GoFundMe