Regbe Bahrengasi, aged 50, was tragically killed on November 24, 2006, in Oakland, California, during a horrific incident that also claimed the lives of her daughter, Winta Mehari, and her son, Yonas Mehari. The murders occurred on Thanksgiving Day, a time meant for family gatherings and celebrations, which made the event even more shocking and devastating for the community.
The incident took place at the Mehari family's apartment in the Keller Plaza complex on Telegraph Avenue.
The perpetrators were Asmerom and Tewodros Gebreselassie, brothers who were related to the victims by marriage. The motive behind the killings was rooted in a misguided belief that the Mehari family was responsible for the sudden death of the Gebreselassie brothers' sibling, Abraham Tewolde, earlier that year. Despite medical examinations concluding that Tewolde died of natural causes, the brothers were convinced otherwise and sought revenge.
On the day of the murders, Tewodros Gebreselassie was welcomed into the Mehari home due to his maintained good relations with the family. After partaking in the Thanksgiving meal, he covertly allowed his brother Asmerom into the apartment. Asmerom then opened fire, killing Winta, Yonas, and Regbe in cold blood. The attack was brutal and swift, leaving the family and community in shock.
The legal proceedings that followed were extensive. Both Asmerom and Tewodros Gebreselassie were convicted of first-degree murder and kidnapping. The trial revealed the premeditated nature of the crime, with the brothers facing multiple charges, including attempted murder and false imprisonment. The courtroom was filled with emotional testimonies and the harrowing details of the attack. Ultimately, the Gebreselassie brothers were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Years later, Tewodros Gebreselassie appealed his conviction, leading to a retrial. In a surprising turn of events, he pleaded no contest to three charges of voluntary manslaughter. This plea deal resulted in a reduced sentence, and he was released after serving ten years, a decision that sparked controversy and mixed reactions from the community and the victims' families.
The case of Regbe Bahrengasi and her family remains a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of violence and the complexities of the justice system. The loss of three lives on a day meant for gratitude and togetherness continues to resonate deeply within the Oakland community.
