Bay Area homicide being investigated as possible hate crime
SAN FRANCISCO — Authorities in the San Francisco Bay Area are investigating the slaying of a young black man as a possible hate crime amid growing concern over racially motivated incidents and attacks nationwide.
The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department arrested one white suspect and is searching for two others thought to be involved in the Nov. 12 killing of a 28-year-old musician.
Investigators say Will Sims was robbed, beaten and shot to death in the wee hours outside a bar near his hometown of Richmond. Investigators say Sims worked as a retail clerk, had no gang ties and a clean criminal record.
Authorities arrested 31-year-old Daniel Porter-Kelly and charged him with robbery and murder with a hate crime enhancement. Authorities are searching for 32-year-old Ray Simons and 31-year-old Daniel Ortega and didn’t elaborate on the hate crime allegations or the details of the homicide.