Playground Ambush
Brandon Alexander Cheese was born on May 24, 1999 to a loving Latina mother and a dedicated Black father. From the moment he was born, he was loved by his parents and adored by his older sisters. He had a calm demeanor and a charming personality. One felt in good company with him - his sincerity and humble soul was something everyone gravitated towards.
As the only son and baby of the family, it was natural that he was beyond showered with love and attention. He was and will always be the light of the family. He will always be his mother’s baby, his father’s son, his sisters’ little brother, and his daughter’s dada.
At the very core of his being, Brandon was a protector.
His priority was keeping his family and the community safe, with his own safety coming third: he was a licensed armed guard who took pride in his work protecting businesses in the city he loved during an unprecedented crime wave.
When Brandon wasn’t protecting small businesses, he attended to his dream of owning his own mobile barber shop. He thought about it constantly, refining his business plan, and putting it into action every chance he got.
He started with family and friends, then began working out of his SUV – carting his barber equipment around the SF Bay Area to provide low-cost and free haircuts to youth and homeless, building his clientele.
Brandon expressed love in two ways: protection and betterment – security and cutting hair.
He wanted every life that he touched to feel special and worthy…to change lives – one head at a time. No matter what life threw his way, he remained pure and kind at heart. The bigger the challenge, the more he carried on with his head held high and his gentle touch.
His young brand, FVCE IT, embraces these ideals. It’s a mission and a message: have the courage to keep moving forward, no matter the odds. Brandon wanted you to know that no matter what happens in your life, you have it in you to confront your problems; to FACE IT.
He made so many people feel special in the time he had, and encouraged them to turn their negatives into positives. Brandon and FVCE IT still stand to remind us that our lives are worthy, and that the pain we have gone through can serve to lift us up.
Now, we are confronted with the immense suffering of losing Brandon. The strength of his message has been tested to the limits as we face the ultimate pain, and still find ways to be lifted by it.
Even more than being a barber, Brandon cared to give back to the San Francisco community – especially the youth – by giving free haircuts to kids and the homeless. He wanted others to feel loved and worthy. He wanted to change lives, one head at a time.
Brandon doing what he loved most: being a barber.
To make ends meet, Brandon became a certified Armed Security Guard – a job he took on with pride while also working on his mobile barber shop dreams. He had his certifications, his training, and his legal firearm. He was thankful to be providing for himself and also have time to continue giving back to the city he loved.
A Protector at heart.
Brandon loved his native San Francisco, and took pride in helping small business owners safeguard their dreams.
But, sadly it was this same city that Brandon gave so much of himself to which failed him. Brandon was murdered by SF. On April 3, 2022, Brandon and another young man were shot and killed in broad daylight at Alice Chalmers Playground – a park directly connected to an elementary school.
A young and vibrant life brutally taken from this world. A baby taken from his mother. A son taken from his father. A little brother taken from his sisters. A father taken from his baby daughter – a little girl who knows nothing but to ask, “where’s Dada?” A family beyond devastated.
What you permit, you promote. Nanci Pelosi, Gavin Newson, London Breed, Chesa Boudin, Ahsha Safai, amongst other political “leaders” – have failed to keep criminals, and those deemed a threat to our society – off the streets. If anything, they have supported lenient laws which encourage repeat offenders be released early.
By allowing criminals with endless rap sheets back on the streets after a slap on their wrists, SF and CA officials have not only demonstrated that they have no regard for society’s well-being, but that they have no intention in taking the necessary steps to prevent or punish the ongoing crime – crime that affects the very same communities that these politicians use to gain votes.
Weak leadership and corruption. Brandon deserved so much better.
He gave so much of his time, energy, and heart to bettering the lives of people throughout SF. SF, in return, permitted criminals to walk up to a playground on a Sunday afternoon in broad daylight and shoot away without the fear of punishment. Why? Because criminals have been empowered by SF.
Brandon was murdered by the negligent and permissive SF laws set in place by its corrupt political officials.
Criminals have more protection and rights than law-abiding citizens do. When will this stop? How many more innocent lives have to be brutally taken before these “leaders” are voted and kept out of office?
SF District 11 Supervisor, Ahsha Safai twitter fest.
To maintain his image, Safai relocated the scene of the murder. This prevented public interest and interfered with public safety, while suppressing the story.
On the same day, SF Supervisor Safai immediately went into damage control mode: using blatant misdirection to downplay the city’s most dangerous and permissive attitudes by claiming that the shooting did not happen in the park.
He also proceeded to take advantage of a painful moment to push his irresponsible, anti-American, anti 2nd-Amendment agenda. Instead of acknowledging that de-funding the police was irresponsible and that SF has laughable criminal punishment, Safai took the easy route to put blame on anything but the truth of the matter: SF laws protect criminals, not law-abiding citizens.
Brandon was only 22 years old. His entire life ahead of him. So many meaningful moments that won’t take place. So many beautiful memories that won’t be made. So many heartfelt experiences that won’t be had. Brandon had so much to look forward to.
“I am 100% committed to making sure our community is safe.”
Your actions and policies prove otherwise, Mr. Supervisor. You and the rest of the local legislature – all the way up to the governor’s office – have failed what was once the safest city in America. For Brandon’s family, the consequences were lethal.
Brandon was a rare soul. He genuinely cared for others, something that is uncommon these days.
He deserves and WILL get justice…
