Oakland Man Sentenced to 22 Years for Teen’s Homicide

UPDATE: An Oakland man, Zikih Nobles, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in a violent crime spree, including the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Soane Mausia, nearly eight years ago. Nobles reported to North Kern State Prison on Nov. 6, 2023, after accepting a plea deal from prosecutors in Alameda County.

Court records confirm that Nobles pleaded no contest to manslaughter in the killing of Mausia, which took place on Nov. 5, 2017, and also admitted to involvement in an unrelated robbery. He will receive credit for the eight years he has already spent behind bars.

Nobles, now 24, was charged in 2021 with multiple counts, including murder, stemming from a crime spree that began when he was just 16. His case has traversed both juvenile and adult courts, with a judge ruling in 2023 that he should initially be tried as a juvenile. However, prosecutors later secured his trial as an adult.

Police have linked Nobles to the Case gang, a notorious Oakland organization implicated in numerous violent crimes. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Nobles had a tumultuous upbringing, witnessing multiple homicides and suffering parental incarceration.

The crime spree commenced when Nobles attempted to rob a woman while posing as a cellphone seller online. He shot at her, claiming the gunfire was accidental, leading to a series of violent events that ultimately culminated in Mausia’s death. The shooting occurred at a home located at the intersection of Lockwood Street and 78th Avenue, leaving Mausia dead and his brother injured but alive.

Nobles has openly admitted to his involvement in the murder and further admitted to shootings targeting rival gang members. His crime spree reached a climax on the day of Mausia’s death when he led police on a high-speed chase in a stolen 2002 Mercedes Benz. The pursuit ended after multiple collisions, leading to Nobles’ arrest.

In a related development, a leader of the Case gang, known as Yodi, referred to Nobles by the nickname “Blaat” in a jail phone call discussing retaliation for him being assaulted in another incident.

Mausia was remembered as a talented student who graduated from Skyline High School with a 4.0 GPA. An online fundraiser highlighted his character, noting, “He had an ear for those that needed comfort… always stood up for the underdog.”

This case underscores the ongoing issues of youth violence and gang involvement in Oakland, raising critical questions about public safety and the legal system’s handling of juvenile offenders. As the community reflects on the tragedy of Mausia’s life cut short, Nobles’ sentencing marks a pivotal moment in addressing the consequences of such violent crime sprees.

As developments unfold, residents and officials alike are left grappling with the implications of this case, emphasizing the urgent need for community intervention and support for at-risk youth.