A security guard lost his life after being shot while protecting a KRON4 news team in Oakland, California.
KRON4, a KTLA sister station in San Francisco, learned Saturday that Kevin Nishita, who worked as an armed guard for Star Protection Agency, died from his injuries. He leaves behind a wife, two children and three grandchildren.
Prior to working as a security guard, Nishita served as a police officer at the Oakland Housing Authority, Hayward Police, San Jose Police and the Colma Police departments in California.
A reward of $32,500 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.
A crew with KRON4 was covering a story on Wednesday about a recent robbery where 12 thieves wearing masks and hoods raided a clothing store on the 300 block of 14th Street.
At 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, an assailant attempted to steal KRON4’s camera equipment, according to police.
The armed guard was shot in the lower abdomen. The reporter was not physically injured.
The guard was rushed to Highland Hospital Wednesday afternoon in critical condition before undergoing surgery.
A man from Berkeley, California, who was standing nearby, was hit by bullet shrapnel, Oakland police said. He was treated at a hospital and listed in stable condition.
Contributions from KRON4, Nexstar Media Inc., Star Protection Agency and the Oakland Police Department brought the total reward offered for information to $32,500.
The money will be given to the person who provides information that leads to an arrest of the individual or individuals involved in the shooting.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact investigators at 510-238-3426.
“It’s been an extremely violent week,” Oakland police said during a press conference held on Wednesday. “We are asking if you were in the area, have a business or live nearby to please check your surveillance footage as you may have captured the crime before, during, or after it occurred.”
Local television stations, including KRON4, regularly use security guards when covering news stories.
“We are devastated by the loss of security guard and our friend, Kevin Nishita,” KRON4’s Vice President and General Manager Jim Rose stated. “Our deepest sympathy goes to Kevin’s wife, his children, his family, and to all his friends and colleagues. This senseless loss of life is due to yet another violent criminal act in the Bay Area. We hope that offering a reward will help lead to the arrest of those responsible so they can face justice for this terrible tragedy”.
KRON4 staff members who knew and worked with Kevin are sharing their thoughts on social media.
The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office escorted Nishita’s body from the hospital on Saturday with “full law enforcement honors,” the office confirmed on Twitter.