A beloved middle school teacher in California was killed early Saturday after gunfire erupted inside a nightclub in downtown Oakland, leaving two people dead and several others injured.
Authorities say Latetia Bobo, 33, was among the victims when a shooting broke out at the EZ Lounge around 3:30 a.m. while she was out dancing with friends.
Bobo, affectionately known as “Teesh,” died at the scene. A second victim, an unidentified 25-year-old man, later died from his injuries at a nearby hospital. Five others were injured in the incident.
Shooting Followed Argument Inside Club
According to reports from the Oakland Police Department, the violence began after an argument inside the nightclub escalated into gunfire.
Officers responding to the scene recovered two handguns, one inside the bar and another outside the establishment. Several people were detained following the incident, though police have not yet announced any arrests.
Witnesses described chaos as patrons fled the club once the shooting began.
One local tattoo artist who was nearby told reporters they did not initially hear gunshots but noticed a sudden rush of people leaving the venue.
“I just heard like 100 people running,” the witness said, describing people crying and screaming as police blocked off the street.
Remembered as a Dedicated Educator
Bobo was a middle school teacher at Caliber Beta Academy, where she taught eighth-grade English language arts.
In a statement released by the school community, administrators described her as a deeply valued educator who cared passionately about her students.
“Ms. Bobo was such a special part of our community, deeply cherished by her students, their families and her colleagues,” the statement said. “Her presence brought light to our campus, and she will be deeply missed by all of us.”
Parents and students echoed those sentiments, remembering Bobo as a teacher who helped build confidence in her students.
One parent said Bobo had helped their child grow as a writer and always made sure families saw their children’s progress.
Family and Community Grieving
Bobo’s sister, Lavonia, shared an emotional tribute on social media as the family struggled to process the sudden loss.
“My family and I are still trying to process the death of Latetia,” she wrote, thanking her sister for being “an amazing sister.”
Friends and colleagues described Bobo as a compassionate person whose warmth extended beyond the classroom.
Talented Artist and Filmmaker
Outside of education, Bobo was also involved in creative work. She had participated as a writer and producer on the 2025 independent film Her Story To Tell.
The film’s director, Pharoah Powell, paid tribute to her online, calling her “truly talented” and saying she would be missed by everyone who had the chance to work with her.
Friends also remembered her as a musician and performer who shared the stage with other artists in the Bay Area music scene.
A Life Cut Short
Those close to Bobo said she had recently been excited about plans to marry her fiancé and was looking forward to the next chapter of her life.
Community members say the tragedy has left students, colleagues and friends struggling to process the sudden loss of someone who had such a positive impact on their lives.
Police say the investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.
