Local
Warfield guard’s family mourns as San Francisco woman faces murder charge
Shakia Vanderbilt was charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Ulysses “Bear” Davis, a 47-year-old security guard at the Warfield. Davis’ family welcomed the arrest but said his wife and two children witnessed his final moments.
A San Francisco woman has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Ulysses “Bear” Davis, a security guard at the Warfield Theatre whose family says they are still struggling to absorb his death.
Shakia Vanderbilt, 32, was arrested Tuesday, police said. The San Francisco district attorney’s office announced Wednesday that Vanderbilt faces a murder charge, along with allegations that she personally used and intentionally fired a gun inside an occupied building and was a felon in possession of a firearm. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Davis, 47, was a father of six. Police responded to the downtown theater shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday and found him with an apparent gunshot wound. Officers and paramedics provided aid before he was taken to a hospital, where he died.
Davis’ brother-in-law, Terrance Cooper, said the family was grateful for the arrest and the continuing investigation. But, he said, the loss still felt “surreal.”
Davis’ wife and two of his children were at the theater when he was shot, Cooper said. They saw him take his final breaths in a hallway, he said, describing the experience as deeply traumatic for the family.
Prosecutors said the shooting followed a disturbance inside the venue and a dispute after the suspect was brought outside. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said investigators are working to determine whether Davis was targeted and believe video of the incident may exist. She said it appeared Vanderbilt may have entered the theater with a firearm, while emphasizing that the investigation remains active.
The Warfield had hosted an 18-and-over event Friday night connected to the reality television series “Baddies USA.” Staff members previously described a chaotic end to the event. Bartenders said a chemical irritant they described as bear mace was sprayed inside around 12:45 a.m., prompting people to rush toward the exits; staff messages later warned of gunfire.
Vanderbilt was expected to be arraigned Thursday afternoon at San Francisco’s Hall of Justice. Jenkins said city officials and prosecutors plan to work with the Warfield and other entertainment venues to review security procedures and police presence.
Police Chief Derrick Lew said the department had already increased staffing in the Mid-Market area before the shooting and would continue foot patrols and outreach to local businesses, residents and venues.
Cooper said Davis and his sister were best friends who spoke every day. “It’s like a bad dream that we just can’t wake up from,” he said.