Newark Education Advocate, 55, Found Dead Under Suspicious Circumstances in His North Ward Apartment – TAPinto.net

NEWARK, NJ — Authorities are investigating the death of well-known Newark education organizer Johnnie Lattner, who was found unresponsive in his residence Monday evening, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said Thursday.

Lattner, 55, was not responding to phone calls or text messages for several days before a family member visited his apartment for a wellness check at 9 p.m. on Monday. His time of death is still not clear at this time, according to Yolanda Johnson, one of Lattner’s closest friends. 

“We can talk about the work that Johnnie did in the community and across New Jersey. He touched souls on a local level and a national level, and he also touched friends and families in Puerto Rico,” Johnson said.

While Lattner’s death has not officially been ruled as a homicide at this time, a spokesperson for ECPO said it was designated as a suspicious death and is awaiting review by the homicide team.

Johnson, who said she had photos of how Lattner’s apartment was found, said the scene appeared to indicate a violent struggle. 

On Tuesday, community members circulated condolences and memories of the North Carolina-born advocate and co-founder of Parents Unified for Local School Education (PULSE). He was recognized for his tireless efforts to return decision-making power in the education system to the community, and 2014, PULSE led a historic boycott of Newark Public Schools over the district’s controversial One Newark enrollment system. 

“His favorite motto was: ‘My work speaks for itself, I don’t have to say a thing.’,” Johnson said. “He didn’t just talk the talk, he walked the walk.”

PULSE is also noted for its 2012 and 2014 lawsuits against Newark Public Schools on behalf of parents and student Donald Jackson, citing that students with disabilities were being disproportionately impacted by the district school closures occurring at the time. The Office of Civil Rights sided with PULSE and the families, marking a major milestone for the community. 

“One thing with me is that I am a fighter,” Lattner told TAPinto Newark in October 2019 for a profile. 

While he leaves behind no children of his own, he joked that ““The thousands of children that attend Newark public schools. … I am their parent.”

As an organizer, Lattner had ties beyond Newark, maintaining alliances with organizations like Journey for Justice, Alliance to Reclaim our School and the Statewide Education Reorganizing Committee. Roberto Cabañas Jr., field director for NJ Communities United, recalls meeting Lattner during the early days of Newark’s fight to regain local control. 

“Through his good, genuine spirit, he was always able to work across the aisle to move a lot of things in public education forward,” Cabañas said. “He was a huge, huge advocate for equity, and during our local control fight just here in Newark, him and PULSE were helpful in nationalizing our local fight.” 

On Monday, Cabañas will deliver a tribute to Lattner during Alliance for Newark Public Schools’ virtual Back to School town hall, which can be viewed by visiting the Alliance’s Facebook page at 6 p.m. 

Any information on Lattner’s death can be reported to ECPO’s confidential tip line via 1-877 TIPS- 4EC or 1-877-847-7432.