The 25-year-old man who died after he and six others were shot inside an after-hours bar in Oakland last weekend was seen in a heated confrontation with the suspect, and fired his own weapon after suffering multiple gunshot wounds, law-enforcement sources have confirmed to the Bay Area News Group.
The East Bay schoolteacher also killed by gunfire was simply caught in the crossfire after a night out with friends, those same sources say.
Authorities haven’t specified a possible motive behind the shooting that killed Oakland resident Markise Martin and Latetia “Teesh” Bobo, 33, of Richmond. But in prior court documents, they describe Martin as a documented member of the Case gang, an Oakland-based group with well-known violent rivalries around town. Five years ago, Martin had been involved in a major gang case that prosecutors eventually dismissed following the fallout from the corruption and racist texting scandal involving Antioch police.
One of the five surviving victims of the Saturday morning shooting, an Oakland man in his 20s, was also an alleged Case gang member, arrested during the same Operation Windstar that led to attempted murder charges against Martin in 2021, according to sources and court filings. The operation, led by Antioch police, centered on the gang’s rivalry with another group, and led to charges against members from both gangs, records show.
An online fundraiser for Martin describes him as a loving father of a young daughter who would do anything for his loved ones.
“His presence brought comfort and strength to those around him, and he was truly such a caring soul underneath his tough exterior,” the fundraiser says. “The shock and pain of his loss have left us unprepared for the costs of his funeral, all while we try to grieve and come to terms with the fact that such a large piece of our heart is gone.”
Police had initially indicated none of the seven victims were the intended targets, but now sources tell the Bay Area News Group that Martin and one other bar patron argued moments before gunshots rang out. Martin was shot several times, then pulled his own weapon and fired inside the club as patrons rushed for cover and scrambled for the exits. Police said they recovered two handguns, one inside the bar and another outside it, though they have not specified which may have been used to wound or kill whom.
Bobo, a beloved teacher at a San Pablo middle school and artist, was simply caught in the crossfire, authorities said. Students at the Beta Caliber Academy where she taught canceled class on Monday and a community memorial was held Monday evening.
The shooting occurred at EZ’s Lounge on 412 14th Street, near City Hall, which authorities say was operating early into the morning without a permit. The business’ listed hours end at 2 a.m. The gunfire exploded about 3:35 a.m. on Saturday.
Martin died at a hospital about 11:30 a.m. Saturday; Bobo died inside the bar.
Emails to the bar went unreturned, and calls to its listed phone number were answered by a woman who claimed no affiliation with the business and said she was confused why her phone started constantly ringing in the shooting’s aftermath.
Bobo was out for a night with friends for First Fridays in Oakland, and went to the bar afterwards, authorities said. Her death has led to an outpouring of grief and the school has pledged to “honor her legacy” with the honor and compassion she showed others.
“She was an incredible educator and an even more incredible human being who truly valued relationships and community. Her presence brought light to our campus, and she will be deeply missed by all of us,” a statement by the Beta Caliber Academy says.
In 2021, Martin was one of four defendants charged by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office with willful, deliberate and premeditated attempted murder against a person identified only as John Doe. That incident happened Feb. 27, 2021, according to court documents. After a 2023 preliminary hearing, prosecutors dismissed the case “in the interest of justice,” without elaboration, according to court records.
The dismissal was made three days after a defense lawyer filed court records stating Oakland police had worked closely with Antioch officers who were later implicated in the a racist texting scandal in order to identify the four defendants. Another Antioch officer, Timothy Manly-Williams, later pleaded guilty to interfering with the Operation Windstar wiretap by calling one of the subjects.
Police have not provided an update on the condition of the five surviving victims, other than saying they are expected to live.
The killings were the 13th and 14th homicides investigated by Oakland police this year. On the same date in 2025, police had investigated 20 homicides.
Police have not announced any arrests and said the investigation is ongoing.