On Tuesday evening, about 40 friends and relatives gathered outside the historic Warfield Theatre in San Francisco to honor Ulysses “Bear” Davis, a 47‑year‑old security guard who was fatally shot on Oct. 3 while on duty.
A heartfelt vigil
Each participant carried a candle, forming a circle of light that highlighted the community’s deep affection for Davis. “Let us remember who he was, how he loved his family, and how he loved every single one of us,” said his brother‑in‑law Terrance Cooper, speaking to the crowd.
Cooper recalled that the nickname “Bear” was given to Davis by his grandfather when he was a toddler, a name that stuck throughout his life. “There wasn’t a time that we called him, on any day, at any time of life, when he would not be there,” Cooper added.
From a rough childhood to a devoted father
Davis grew up in the Hunters Point housing projects, where a childhood friend, who asked to be identified only as Raemo, remembered him as a curious and knowledgeable youth. “He had the facts to anything,” Raemo said. “You could ask him something, look up his answer later, and he’d be right.” The two had been friends since they were nine, playing football and riding BMX bikes together.
Despite a challenging upbringing, Davis turned his life around. “I’m here because of the person he became,” said family friend Charmaine Gallon, who traveled from Sacramento for the vigil. He worked hard to distance himself from the stereotypes often attached to his neighborhood, eventually becoming a loving husband, father of six, and a respected member of his community.
A family man and community servant
Friends and relatives spoke of Davis’s infectious laugh and his love of nature. His sister recalled him perched in a tree as a child, catching bumblebees in mason jars to study and then release them. As an adult, he shared that love of the outdoors with his own children, taking them camping and teaching them to appreciate the world around them.
Every Thanksgiving, Davis and his family used their own money to feed unhoused people in downtown San Francisco, handing out hot meals and soup. “He was a productive member of society, teaching his children to do the same thing,” Cooper said.
Tragic loss and community response
Davis’s daughter Justice, 22, described the news of her father’s death as nearly impossible to believe. “He went through so much but he always had our backs,” she told mourners. Family friend Jaymo Mohammed noted the bitter irony that Davis, who had worked hard to leave the streets behind, was killed while performing his job.
As the vigil concluded, candles were placed on the pavement in the shape of a large “B” and mourners signed the back of a memorial poster. Messages such as “Love you poppa bear” and “King Bear 4 life” reflected the deep personal impact Davis had on those who knew him.
Investigation continues
A woman has been charged with Davis’s murder, and authorities continue to investigate the chaotic night that began with a chemical irritant sprayed in the theater, leading to a stampede and subsequent gunfire. The community hopes for justice and closure while remembering the positive legacy Davis left behind.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
