In a stunning decision Thursday night, a San Francisco jury handed down a not guilty verdict to Jose Garcia Zarate, and the White House issued an official response Friday morning.

Zarate, an illegal immigrant and convicted felon, shot and killed Kate Steinle while she was walking with her family in July of 2015. Zarate, who had been deported five times, was in San Francisco at the time due to their sanctuary city status. In 2015, Zarate was released by the San Fransisco county jail, even though federal agents asked for him to be detained and eventually deported. (RELATED: Americans Are Furious Kate Steinle’s Killer Will Be Deported for A Sixth Time)

Zarate was found not guilty by a San Fransisco jury in the murder of Steinle Thursday night. The reactions were deeply critical across the board. President Trump took to twitter to condemn the decision:

Moments ago, Sarah Sanders released a scorched earth statement, saying “criminal illegal immigrants like him, should never be allowed to threaten our citizens” and calling for closed borders and an end to sanctuary cities. Sanders ended her statement by noting “Had San Francisco enforced our Nation’s immigration laws, the Steinle family would be celebrating this holiday with all of their loved ones.”

Here is her full statement:

Yesterday’s verdict in San Francisco underscores the danger to public safety when our Nation fails to enforce its laws. Kate Steinle was killed by an illegal immigrant and convicted felon who had been deported from the United States five times. He, and countless other criminal illegal immigrants like him, should never be allowed to threaten our citizens. It’s more important now than ever for Congress to secure our borders and provide the resources, including more ICE officers, needed to deport criminal illegal aliens and to finally stop sanctuary city policies that cause needless loss of innocent life. Politicians who fail to address these needs share responsibility for preventable crimes committed against innocent Americans.

Had San Francisco enforced our Nation’s immigration laws, the Steinle family would be celebrating this holiday with all of their loved ones.

WATCH — Obama torched for handling of Kate Steinle’s death: