Supporters demand justice for slain artist, activist— Bubbles
SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - Friends and supporters of Anthony Torres, a gender non-conformist who went by the name, 'Bubbles', called for justice in the slaying of the popular drag queen, deejay, activist and artist.
Friday night was a time of remembrance and a call for San Francisco Police Department to solve Bubbles' killing quickly. They were a Tenderloin resident, who was shot and killed very early in the morning on September 9.
A group of about 100 held a rally on the steps of City Hall and chanted Bubbles' name.
"I'm feeling upset. It's just hard to lose a friend. I've known Bubbles for many years," says Jessica Hucheson, a friend.
A memorial marks the spot where Bubbles was shot and killed about two weeks ago on Larkin Street.
Friends say the suspect walked out of The New Century Theater, a strip club, chased Bubbles across the street , then shot and killed them.
Bubbles was just steps from their apartment. Friends say there are many surveillance cameras in the area, yet, police have made no arrest. Friends say no one is safe as long as Bubbles's killer is still out there.
"I feel hurt and pain. I just want to feel safe," says Shah Scidz, a friend and neighbor.
Bubbles, a flamboyant neighborhood fixture, would deejay music out on the streets.
Friends say they suspect Bubbles' non-apologetic attitude about who they were, may be a motive for their killing. They see it as a hate crime.
"I feel there needs to be answers. Somebody needs to answer for this," says Scidz.
"At this time, there is nothing to indicate that this was a hate crime," says Sergeant Michael Andraychak with the San Francisco Police.
Sgt. Andraychak says police have identified a person of interest but are not releasing details.
They did say it takes time for investigators to follow leads and evidence.
"Homicide investigations are very complicated investigations. We have only one chance to get it right and do it right.
Saying police are too quick to rule out a hate crime, friends have started a petition to put pressure on Mayor Ed Lee to help bring Bubbles' killer to justice.
"He's been a lightning rod of controversy. He's been around town. People know who he is," says Tuan Nguyen, a friend who organized the rally.
After the rally, friends gathered at Muca, a club near City Hall in Bubbles's memory. They say a favorite expression of theirs was " shut up and dance."