Lawsuit By Kate Steinle's Family Against Government Is Dismissed

PLEASANTON, CA — A magistrate on Monday dismissed the last claim in a lawsuit against the U.S. government filed by the parents of Kate Steinle, a Pleasanton native who was shot in 2015 while walking with her father in San Francisco.

The suit alleged the U.S. government acted negligently by employing a ranger who left a handgun in the passenger seat of his car on a San Francisco street., the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The gun was taken by Jose Garcia Zarate, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, who claimed it fired while he dropped it to the ground.

The bullet ricocheted off the pavement and hit Steinle, 32, while she was walking on Pier 14 on July 1, 2015.

Garcia Zarate, 46, was acquitted of several state charges including murder, manslaughter and gun possession. He is set to face trial this month for federal gun charges relating to the shooting.

According to the ruling by Chief U.S. Magistrate Joseph Spero, the ranger may have acted negligently by leaving the gun in his car, but 3 1/2 days passed between his leaving the gun and Steinle's death — too much time for the government to be held responsible, the Chronicle reported.

Steinle's parents filed their lawsuit in 2016, seeking damages from the city and federal governments. Their claims against the city were dismissed in 2017.

A lawyer for Steinle's parents said they would appeal Monday's ruling, the Chronicle reported.

Bay City News contributed to this report.