A beloved eighth-grade teacher was one of two people killed Saturday when a gun battle erupted between two individuals inside an Oakland nightclub, leaving five others wounded.
The death of Latetia Bobo has devastated a tight-knit school community, highlighting the collateral damage of gun violence on innocent bystanders.
Ms. Latetia Bobo was a cherished 8th-grade ELA teacher at Caliber Beta Academy in San Pablo.
Classes at Caliber Beta Academy were canceled Monday to allow students and staff to process the tragedy.
Police report a 25-year-old man was also killed when an argument between two people at the EZ Lounge escalated into a shootout around 3:30 a.m. Saturday.
Investigators believe all seven victims shot during the exchange were innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.
While Oakland police detained multiple people for questioning, it remains unclear if the primary shooters have been arrested.
Parents and colleagues described Bobo as a “bubbly” presence whose smile “would get you through the day.”
The school and parents expressed profound grief over the loss of an educator who “truly valued relationships.”
“Ms. Bobo was such a special part of our community… She was an incredible educator and an even more incredible human being who truly valued relationships and community.” — Caliber Public Schools Statement
“I’m angry. Not that anyone ever deserves it, but she definitely didn’t deserve it. She was just talking about her fiancé, and now she’s gone.” — said Robin DeGracia, CBS News reported.
The San Pablo community is mourning a pillar of its educational system while police continue to search for those responsible for the downtown Oakland violence.