Survivors of S.F. Murder Victim Deoaunta Lyons Say He was No Gang Member

Deoaunta Lyons

​Vigil planned for Deoaunta Lyons at his murder site, 37 Commer Court, today at 4:30 p.m.

After five years of working in the Bayview shipyards, budget cuts led to Deoaunta Lyons being laid off. "But everything happens for a reason," said his sister, Sakari Lyons-Glenn. Deoaunta Lyons moved back in with his ailing grandparents at 37 Commer Court, in the shade of Hilltop Park, and was using his unwelcome time off to care for them.

But last Thursday something happened that had no good reason behind it. "Deoaunta lived on The Hill all his 28 years," said his sister. Last week, he died on it.

On Thursday, March 18 in the early afternoon, Lyons was sitting on his grandparents' steps. Eyewitness details are somewhat conflicting, but here's what SF Weekly has gleaned: A man with a ski mask brandishing a pistol approached. Shots were fired. Lyons pushed a friend of his younger brother out of the line of fire, and fought with the attacker. He lost: As Lyons' family watched in horror, the shooter -- whose mask came off during the deadly tussle -- stood over Deoaunta and fired, point blank, into his head. Lyons' brains were, quite literally, blown out. His family claim it took a full 35 minutes for an ambulance to show up -- but a speedier response wouldn't have saved him. He was removed from life support one day later.

The horrific incident received a blip of coverage from the local media -- where it was reported that police believed it to be a retaliatory, "gang-related" shooting." And, for many, the terms "Bayview," "gang-related," and "Deoaunta" neatly sewed up this case. This is deeply hurtful for Lyons family. They swear he was no gang-member, and this was not just another "gang-related" travesty.

"He was not in a gang, he was never arrested, and never had gang relations," said Lyons-Glenn. "He was born and raised in Bayview. He was known by everyone living in the area. He did not have a criminal history. He went to McAteer, played sports, and graduated with honors. And he was a peace-maker. Anytime anyone had drama, wanted to fight, rival gang members ... " Her voice trails off.

"Deoaunta was always a peace-keeper," says Michelle Daniels, a family friend who watched Lyons and his five siblings grow up in the neighborhood. "Even when they were poor and young kids, he'd intervene and break up fights, defuse escalating situations."

That may have cost him his life. The family friend Lyons pushed out of the way was also shot -- but did not die. Lyons' family believes this man may have been the shooter's intended target. SF Weekly's calls to the homicide detective working this case have not been answered. But Lyons-Glenn says police have told her "this was a mistake" -- that is, her brother was not the intended victim. Lyons-Glenn still believes everything happens for a reason. But she's having a hard time figuring out the reason behind this.

Lyons-Glenn has received some money from the city's victim's fund to help pay for her brother's funeral. Working with Wells Fargo and a notary, she's set up a memorial fund to help pay for his burial (whatever money is left over will go to college funds for Lyons' four children: Emoni, 9; Iysse, 5; Deoni, 4; and Deoaunta, Jr., 3.). You can contact her here. 

Prior to working five years at the shipyard, Lyons was an outreach worker for the city, speaking at schools and churches about the importance of safe sex, handing out condoms, and rewarding young people who underwent STD testing with movie tickets and other incentives. "He was triumphant in that program," said Daniels.

"People need to know this wasn't a gang-member, this wasn't someone being retaliated against," said Lyons sister. "He was a brother, father, and uncle. He was a very hard-working, respectful man. I don't want [people] to treat this as another statistic."

Update, 5:45 p.m.: Homicide inspector Kevin Jones confirms, "There is nothing to indicate they specifically targeted Deoaunta. He was not up there by himself. And that is common knowledge up there."