A security guard shot while protecting a TV reporter doing a story about a burglarized Oakland store died from his injuries Saturday, officials said.
The death marks Oakland’s 126th gun violence casualty this year, according to the city’s Police Department.
Kevin Nishita, a former police officer working with Star Protection Agency, was shot when a group of men tried to rob the news crew of its television camera Wednesday, officials said. Crime Stoppers of Oakland, the city’s Police Department and other contributors are offering a reward totaling $32,500 for information leading to the arrest of anyone involved in the crime.
Nishita, whose age was not disclosed, leaves behind his wife, Virginia, two children and three grandchildren, according to statements from KRON and Star Protection.
“We are devastated by the loss of security guard and our friend, Kevin Nishita,” Jim Rose, the station’s vice president and general manager, said in a statement. “Our deepest sympathy goes to Kevin’s wife, his children, his family, and to all his friends and colleagues.”
On Wednesday, Nishita was assigned to a KRON reporter covering the Monday night burglary of the Prime 356 clothing store on the 300 block of 14th Street. As Nishita stood outside the store with the reporter at about 12:20 p.m., a group tried to rob the pair and the security guard was shot in the abdomen, Oakland police spokesperson Kim Armstead said. He was taken to Highland Hospital in critical condition.
Stanley Roberts said he was covering the theft for KRON when three men pulled up in a car, one with a gun in hand, and tried to rob the reporter of his camera. The security guard was shot when he intervened, Roberts said.
Roberts added that television news crews have bodyguards because they’re often targeted for their equipment while working in communities with high crime rates.
“This has been a systemic problem, and it’s making it harder for journalists to do their jobs,” he said.
“RIP Kevin Nishita,” Roberts wrote Saturday morning on Twitter. “Thank you for keeping all of us safe! Our hearts will always be with you now and forever.”
Oakland Police Department’s homicide section is investigating. On Saturday, it released a surveillance photo of a car allegedly used during the crime. It is asking anyone with information to contact the homicide department at (510) 238-3821 or Crime Stoppers at (510) 777-8572.
Danielle Echeverria and Andy Picon are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: danielle.echeverria@sfchronicle.com, andy.picon@hearst.com Twitter: @DanielleEchev, @andpicon
