Ulysses Tykee Davis, a man known for his generosity and infectious laugh, was remembered by loved ones as someone who would give you the shirt off his back. The 47-year-old father of six and grandfather of three, known to all as “Bear,” grew up in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. The nickname, given by his grandfather, stuck from the time he was a toddler, always climbing on furniture.
As a boy, he loved being outdoors, often finding a high perch in a tree to watch the world. Friends and family recalled his efforts to turn his life around from a difficult past, becoming a productive member of society and a devoted family man. He and his family would use their own money every Thanksgiving to feed the unhoused in downtown San Francisco. A hard-working man, he provided security at the Warfield Theatre on Market Street.
The night of October 2, 2026, bled into the early morning of October 3 as Davis worked his security job at the theater. The venue had just hosted a chaotic 18-and-over event for the reality TV show "Baddies." Shortly before 1 a.m., reports from inside described a chemical irritant, possibly bear mace, being sprayed, sending patrons rushing for the exits. Amid the turmoil, Davis was escorting a woman described as "rowdy" out of the building. Just outside the theater on the 900 block of Market Street, a dispute escalated. The woman allegedly shot Davis in the back. The horrific act was witnessed by his wife and two of his adult children, who were there with him. His daughter Latayja later recalled the frantic search for him in the crowd and finding him shot. “They didn't want to let me see him like that,” she said.
San Francisco Police Department officers responded to reports of the shooting around 1:00 a.m. and found Ulysses Davis suffering from a gunshot wound. They rendered aid before paramedics arrived and transported him to a local hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The SFPD Homicide Detail immediately began an investigation, examining surveillance video that reportedly captured the incident and looking into whether the venue had the proper permits for the event.
Three days later, on October 6, 2026, SFPD homicide investigators arrested 32-year-old Shakia Vanderbilt in connection with the killing. The following day, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced that Vanderbilt had been charged with murder, with enhancements for personal use of a firearm and intentional discharge of a firearm causing death. She was also charged with discharging a firearm at an occupied building and four counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. Authorities noted that Vanderbilt was also allegedly linked to a major retail theft ring that operated in California in the 2010s. Prosecutors stated their intent to have Vanderbilt detained without bail pending trial.
The loss of Ulysses Davis sent a shockwave of grief through his family and community. "It’s like a bad dream that we just can’t wake up from," his brother-in-law, Terrance Cooper, told reporters. A friend, Terrance Silas, added, "Bear was just doing his job. He was at work, doing security." A GoFundMe campaign was started to help his family with funeral expenses. The organizer described him as "a humble man, a loyal and lovely husband, a hard-working father of 6, a wonderful grandfather and one of my best friends."
On the evening of October 20, about 40 friends and relatives gathered for a candlelight vigil outside the Warfield, the spot where Davis took his last breaths. Mourners wearing badges that read “Long Live Bear” shared memories of his deep, loud laugh and his love for his family. His daughter Justice, 22, spoke to the crowd, saying, “He went through so much but he always had our backs. Rest in peace, Dad.” They placed candles on the pavement in the shape of a "B" and signed a memorial poster with messages like “Love you poppa bear.”
As of October 2026, Shakia Vanderbilt was awaiting arraignment, which was scheduled for October 8. The San Francisco Police Department asked that anyone with information regarding the case call their tip line at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.
