SAN FRANCISCO, CA — What was intended to be a night of entertainment turned into a devastating tragedy outside the historic Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, leaving a dedicated father of six dead and raising serious questions about event security protocols.
Ulysses “Bear” Davis, 47, was working as a security guard during an event associated with the popular Zeus Network reality series Baddies when he was fatally shot in the back around 1:00 AM.
According to police and witness reports, the incident escalated following a disruption inside the theater, during which crowd-control agents like pepper spray were reportedly deployed. Davis was in the process of escorting an unruly individual out of the venue when the fatal shot was fired outside the building.
Adding to the profound tragedy, members of Davis’ family—including his wife and two of his six children—were present at the venue and witnessed the terrible event unfold. Davis was immediately rushed to a local trauma center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Suspect Charged with Murder
San Francisco police officers quickly responded to the scene and arrested 35-year-old Shakia Vanderbilt in connection with the shooting. District authorities have formally charged Vanderbilt with murder along with multiple firearm-related offenses.
Prosecutors are actively pushing for Vanderbilt to be held in custody without bail pending trial, citing the severity of the offense and potential public safety risks.
Community Outrage and Safety Questions
The killing of Davis—a respected security professional remembered by loved ones and colleagues as a protector and devoted family man—has sent shockwaves through the community and sparked intense public scrutiny.
Questions are rapidly growing regarding security measures at the event, specifically how a concealed firearm was brought into or near a heavily monitored venue. In the wake of the shooting, local officials and law enforcement have initiated reviews into the event’s planning, security staffing levels, and metal-detection protocols.
Community members, colleagues, and family continue to mourn the loss of Davis, remembering him as a man who lost his life simply for doing his job to keep others safe.
Key Background Details
- Full Victim Name: Ulysses Tykee Davis (47), widely known to friends, family, and coworkers as “Bear.”
- Background: Davis grew up in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood and was a father of six and a grandfather of three. Relatives described him as a community pillar who “would give you the shirt off his back.”
- Suspect Details: Shakia Vanderbilt, a resident of San Francisco. Official jail booking logs list her age as 32. She was arrested by San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) officers.
2. Timeline & What Transpired
- The Event: The Warfield Theatre (located in the 900 block of Market Street near Taylor Street) was hosting a live stage tour event connected to the Baddies reality TV franchise.
- The Escalation: Shortly before 1:00 AM, a disruption broke out inside the venue involving arguments and reports of pepper spray or bear mace being discharged in the crowd.
- The Incident: Security personnel, including Davis, escorted Vanderbilt out of the theater onto Market Street. Outside the venue, a dispute continued, during which Vanderbilt allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot Davis in the back.
- Family Witness Testimony: Terrance Cooper (Davis’s brother-in-law) confirmed that Davis’s wife, his adult daughter, and his adult son were at the theater at the time of the event. They witnessed him suffer the gunshot wound and take his final breaths in the hallway/entrance area before emergency responders arrived.
- Response: SFPD officers arrived around 1:00 AM and rendered first aid until paramedics transported Davis to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
3. Legal Status & Venue Investigation
- Charges: San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced that Shakia Vanderbilt has been formally charged with murder along with multiple firearm allegations. Prosecutors are filing motions to hold her in custody without bail.
- Motive Under Review: Authorities noted that while a dispute took place following her removal from the venue, investigators are still determining whether Davis was specifically targeted or if the shooting stemmed from an escalating confrontation.
- Security & Permitting Reviews: City officials and SFPD are reviewing the Warfield’s security screening procedures—specifically looking into how a concealed weapon managed to clear initial entry checks, as well as whether the venue held all necessary permits required for hosting that specific event.
