A fatal shooting that occurred in the early morning hours of June 5 that killed 19-year-old Sean Ford was apparently a gang-related hit that happened inside the famed EndUp nightclub at 6th and Harrison. As The Examiner reports, two men have been charged in the murder, 25-year-old Charles Gardner of San Francisco and 37-year-old Terrance Webb of Hayward, both with gang enhancements. Webb reportedly has previous federal gang convictions.
Ford was also from the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood.
As CBS 5 reports, police served warrants in both arrests early Wednesday morning, and both were arraigned in court Thursday without submitting pleas. Both are being held on $5 million bail.
Meanwhile, the EndUp posted a sign on its outside wall saying it was closed for two weeks "for maintenance" and would reopen in time for Pride weekend on Friday, June 24.
And then with last week's mass shooting in Orlando and security being beefed up at nightlife venues citywide, The EndUp issued the following statement on Facebook this week:
With Gay Pride Week upon us and in light of this hate-inspired tragedy, The Endup is taking immediate and aggressive action to ensure the safety and comfort of our beloved patrons, who will be visiting from around the world. Enhanced security and staffing will be in place as we work closely with the SFPD, to implement these new short term and long term safety measures.
In multiple previous cases in which deadly violence has occurred inside or outside of SF nightclubs, the Entertainment Commission and/or the ABC has stepped in to revoke the club's license. Both 330 Ritch and Suede nightclubs shuttered after similar violence in 2013 and 2010 respectively. It remains to be seen whether The EndUp may be blamed for allowing a gun into the premises despite years of frisking every patron at the door.
This remains an active investigation and anyone with further information relating to the case is asked to call the SFPD Anonymous tip line at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.
