Hate crime charge in El Sobrante slaying of African American man

A Richmond man has been charged with a hate crime and murder in the death of an African American man found beaten and shot on an El Sobrante road near a pool hall where investigators believe he was attacked.

Daniel Porter-Kelly, 31, who is white, was arrested Nov. 16 and is being held without bail at the Martinez Detention Facility, according to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.

County prosecutors have charged Porter-Kelly with robbery and murder with a hate crime enhancement in the killing of 28-year-old William Sims of Richmond, police said.

On Tuesday, authorities identified two other suspects for whom they are searching: Ray Simons, 32, of Hercules, and Daniel Ortega, 31, of Novato or Richmond. The two, both of whom are white, are considered armed and dangerous.

Police are searching for Daniel Ortega, 31, in connection with the murder and robbery of a Richmond musician. Police are searching for Daniel Ortega, 31, in connection with the murder and robbery of a Richmond musician. Photo: Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office / Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Photo: Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office / Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Hate crime charge in El Sobrante slaying of African American man 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

Investigators believe Sims was inside the nearby Capri Club — a pool hall and bar in the 4100 block of Appian Way in El Sobrante — in the early morning hours of Nov. 12 when the suspects jumped, robbed and killed him. He was beaten and shot, authorities said.

A sergeant with the sheriff’s office came across Sims’ body in the street near the pool hall just after 2 a.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sims, 28, was a musician who also held a retail job. He had no gang ties or criminal history, said Jimmy Lee, a spokesman for the sheriff’s office. Lee told KPIX-TV that authorities believe Sims was targeted because he was black.

Detectives also arrested Ortega’s mother, 54-year-old Renee Brown of Novato, on suspicion of interfering with the investigation. Brown was held on $500,000 bail.

Anyone with information on the incident or the whereabouts of Ortega or Simons can contact the sheriff’s department anonymously at (866) 846-3592.

Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @michael_bodley