SF sheriff defends prior release of suspect in pier slaying

The mother of a man who tried to launch a firework off the top of his head for July Fourth and was killed instantly said Monday she’s advocating for stricter controls about who can use the explosives.

Today, the tweet has received over 1,000 favorites by Twitter users.

This undated photo released by the San Francisco Police Department shows Francisco Sanchez.

Dozens of such sanctuary cities across the United States limit the assistance they provide to federal immigration authorities aiming to apprehend or deport individuals.

“The federal government and San Francisco are wrong here”, he said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week”. Sanchez, an undocumented immigrant who has been deported five times and a repeat drug offender, was on probation at the time of the shooting.

“If ICE does not provide the proper legal instrument, they are jeopardizing also the city’s ability to detain somebody against their will”, he said. The city goes so far as to promote itself as a haven for people living in the country illegally.

Agents with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement have relied on state and local law enforcement agencies to flag undocumented immigrants whom they come into contact with.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee released a statement Monday regarding the tragic death of Steinle.

Beck Diefenbach/AP Mourners have set up a makeshift memorial for Steinle at the picturesque stretch of waterfront where she collapsed Wednesday after being shot in the chest.

No words were exchanged and there did not appear to be any connection between the victim and the suspect, according to Andraychak.

Witnesses were quick to work with police to identify Sanchez. EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Man accused in SF shooting admits to crimeSanchez told them after he was arrested Thursday at Pier 40 near Townsend that he was shooting at sea lions when the gun discharged.

Lopez-Sanchez has a long criminal record.

Federal officials released Sanchez in March from federal prison where he had served almost four years for previous immigration violations. Francisco Sanchez was arrested for the shooting.

Three months ago, Sanchez was released from San Francisco’s jail after serving time for a drug charge. He said Sanchez’s immigration status should have no bearing on the crime; rather, his mental health is the primary issue at stake.

Steinle’s killing has brought criticism down on this liberal city because Sanchez had been deported repeatedly and was out on the streets after San Francisco officials disregarded a request from immigration authorities to keep him locked up. “That’s what’s so mind-boggling about this case, ” said one federal official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the issue’s sensitivity.

“Being able to say, I’ll call ICE for this guy, but not call ICE for that guy or that woman or not that woman that doesn’t make any sense”, said Sheriff Mirkarimi in an interview Monday. Lee, however, maintains that the sheriff’s department had the authority to return the felon to ICE. Francisco Sanchez should be in court on Tuesday afternoon.