{"id":234892,"date":"2026-03-24T23:58:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T23:58:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/234892\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T23:58:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T23:58:08","slug":"family-of-teacher-says-her-story-cannot-be-ignored","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/234892\/","title":{"rendered":"Family of teacher says her story \u2018cannot be ignored\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nearly three weeks after a mass shooting in a downtown Oakland nightclub<\/a> claimed two lives and injured five people, the family of 33-year-old Latetia \u201cTeesh\u201d Bobo<\/a> is speaking out.<\/p>\n

Bobo was killed in the hail of gunfire that erupted inside EZ\u2019s Lounge on March 7.<\/p>\n

Acting as a spokesperson for the family, Keith Norman, who is married to Bobo\u2019s older sister LaShontae Norman, described Bobo as a teacher, artist, and community builder who cared deeply about her students.<\/p>\n

\u201cLatetia was beautifully brilliant,\u201d Norman said. \u201cShe was essential to our family, her friends, and colleagues.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bobo taught English language arts to eighth-grade students at Caliber Beta Academy, a charter school in San Pablo. Loved ones remembered her as an educator who went far beyond the classroom, leading after-school writing clubs and mentoring students who needed extra support. Norman said Bobo had been planning a school trip to Washington, D.C., and New York before her death.<\/p>\n

LaShontae described her late sister\u2019s classroom as a refuge.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of the students mentioned how her classroom was a place where they could truly be themselves and express themselves,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The family held a memorial service for Bobo yesterday at the McGlothen Temple Church of God in Christ in Richmond. Caliber Public Schools, the district Bobo worked for, canceled school for the day so students and teachers could attend.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe church was completely filled,\u201d Norman said. \u201cWe shared our memories, we shared our laughs, and we shared our goodbyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rev. Carol Estes, Bobo\u2019s godmother and pastor at West Oakland\u2019s Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church \u2014 the church Bobo grew up attending \u2014 said Bobo was \u201cstubbornly determined for good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe extended the goodness of herself so that she could uplift, encourage, and inspire those who were standing with her,\u201d Estes added.<\/p>\n

Honoring Bobo\u2019s life and calling for accountability
\n\"\"Keith Norman, Bobo\u2019s brother-in-law, remembers Bobo as a loving family member and educator. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside<\/p>\n

To honor her life, Norman said the family wants to find opportunities to continue Bobo\u2019s legacy by sending her students to Washington, D.C., and supporting students interested in pursuing careers in the arts. Bobo herself was an artist, actor, and singer, according to her loved ones.<\/p>\n

The family also wants to work with Oakland leaders, community organizations, and residents to push for changes to prevent future violence, but stopped short of naming specific policies.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want \u2026 change that allows young people to be in the community, enjoy themselves, and come back home safely,\u201d Norman said. \u201cHer story cannot be forgotten or ignored.\u201d<\/p>\n

Questions surrounding the circumstances of the shooting remain, including concerns that the nightclub operated without the proper permits and after legal hours, and whether an illegally modified fully automatic pistol<\/a> was used by one of the shooters. The other victim, Markise Martin, 25, got into an argument with another person, and they opened fire on each other, according to reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Te\u2019Reisha Graves, the attorney for Bobo\u2019s family, declined to say whether they would pursue any legal action against the owner of EZ\u2019s Lounge, the city of Oakland, or others.<\/p>\n

OPD says its investigation is ongoing.<\/p>\n

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