San Pablo 8th-grade teacher identified among 2 killed in Oakland shooting

By Da Lin

A teacher at a San Pablo school is being remembered by parents and students after she was killed in a mass shooting at an Oakland nightclub over the weekend.

The Oakland Police Department said Latetia Bobo was one of two people killed in the shooting inside EZ Lounge, a Downtown Oakland club, on Saturday morning at around 3:30 a.m. Police identified the other deceased victim as 25-year-old Hayward resident Markise Martin. Five other people were injured in the shooting.

Bobo was an eighth-grade teacher at Caliber Beta Academy in San Pablo. The school canceled classes on Monday in Bobo’s honor and to help the tight-knit community process the tragedy.

People who met or knew Bobo said she was beloved by co-workers, students and parents.

Michael Pina, a landscaper and a parent at Caliber Beta, said he’ll always remember Ms. Bobo’s bubbly personality.

“You see that smile. [It was] one of the smiles that will get you through the day,” Pina said.

The school’s principal described Bobo as an incredible educator and an even more incredible human being.

Oakland police say two people had an argument inside the club, and a gun battle broke out. Video from the scene shows people running out of the business to get to safety.

Investigators believe the seven people shot were innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire. 

Robin DeGracia’s daughter is a student of Bobo. Her son also had Ms. Bobo two years ago.

“I’m angry. Not that anyone ever deserves it, but she definitely didn’t deserve it,” DeGarcia said. “She was just talking about her fiancé, and now she’s gone.”

“And how are we supposed to help our children process that when it’s not something easy for us adults to process?” she added.

Police detained multiple people for questioning, but it’s unclear if any of the shooters have been arrested.

Bobo’s family says they are still processing the tragedy and may speak at a later time.