Ulysses Tykee Davis, a 47-year-old father of six known as “Bear,” was fatally shot after a disturbance at the San Francisco theater.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A San Francisco woman has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a security guard outside the Warfield Theatre, where authorities say a disturbance inside the downtown venue spilled outside shortly before the gunfire.
Shakia Vanderbilt was arrested Tuesday, Oct. 6, in connection with the death of 47-year-old Ulysses Tykee Davis, according to San Francisco police. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced Wednesday that prosecutors had filed a murder charge along with firearm allegations and a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Davis, a father of six who worked security at the Warfield, was known to relatives and coworkers as “Bear.”
San Francisco police said officers were called to the 900 block of Market Street at about 1 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, following reports of a shooting. Officers found Davis suffering from an apparent gunshot wound and provided aid until paramedics arrived. He was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died. The Police Department said homicide investigators developed probable cause to arrest Vanderbilt three days later, and members of the department’s Crime Gun Information Center took her into custody in San Francisco.
Authorities said the shooting followed a disruption at the Warfield, which had hosted an 18-and-over event tied to the reality television series “Baddies USA.” Police Chief Derrick Lew said during a Wednesday news conference that the disruption began inside the venue and continued after the suspect was brought outside. Investigators have not released a full account of the confrontation or publicly established why Davis was shot.
Jenkins and police said investigators are still trying to determine whether Davis was specifically targeted. Authorities also believe video exists of the incident and are reviewing evidence as they continue reconstructing what happened before the shooting. Jenkins said investigators were examining whether Vanderbilt may have had a firearm inside the venue, but officials cautioned that the investigation remains active and that key details have not yet been established.
Davis’ relatives told local news organizations that he was working security when the shooting occurred. His brother-in-law, Terrance Cooper, told Mission Local that Davis’ wife and two of his children were at the theater that night. Cooper said the family welcomed the arrest while struggling to process Davis’ death. He described the loss as “so surreal” and said relatives were still trying to understand what had happened.
The killing followed a chaotic end to the event. Mission Local reported that Warfield employees described a chemical irritant being sprayed inside the theater shortly before the shooting, prompting people to move toward the exits. Authorities have not said that incident directly caused the shooting, and they have not released a detailed public sequence linking the disruption inside the venue to the fatal encounter outside.
Prosecutors have charged Vanderbilt with murder and filed allegations involving the use and discharge of a firearm. She also faces a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Bay City News reported that she was being held without bail. Police identified Vanderbilt as 42, while jail records cited by multiple local news outlets listed her as 32; authorities had not publicly explained the age discrepancy as of Thursday morning.
The case has also prompted questions about security at large entertainment venues. Jenkins said city officials intend to work with the Warfield and other venues on security procedures and police presence. Lew said the Police Department had already begun increasing staffing in the Mid-Market area before the shooting and planned to continue foot patrols and outreach to businesses, residents and entertainment venues.
Vanderbilt was expected to be arraigned Thursday afternoon at the Hall of Justice. Prosecutors said they would seek to keep her in custody while the case proceeds. The charges are allegations, and Vanderbilt is presumed innocent unless proved guilty in court. San Francisco police said the homicide investigation remains open and active.
Author note: Last updated October 8, 2026.