OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) – Oakland Police Department Homicide investigators are asking for help from the public finding a car that might be connected to the killing of a KRON4 security guard.
The suspect vehicle is a 2004 – 2008 Acura TL, white, 4-door, with a sunroof and no front license plate.
The security guard died from his injuries Saturday morning after being shot in an attempted armed robbery while on assignment protecting a KRON4 crew.
The victim is Kevin Nishita. He leaves behind a wife, two children and three grandchildren. Nishita worked as an armed guard for Star Protection Agency.
Prior to working as a guard, he served as a police officer at the Oakland Housing Authority, Hayward Police, San Jose Police, and the Colma Police departments.
A reward of $32,500 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.
The KRON4 crew 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 Berkeley man standing nearby was hit by bullet shrapnel, Oakland police said. He was treated at a hospital and listed in stable condition.
Contributions from KRON4 and its parent company Nexstar Media Inc., Star Protection Agency, and the Oakland Police Department brought the total reward offered for information up 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. 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,” Oakland police said during a press conference held on Wednesday.
Local television stations, including KRON4, regularly use security guards when covering news stories, and Kevin Nishita honorably and bravely protected Bay Area TV reporters for years.
This morning the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office escorted his body from the hospital in Oakland with full law enforcement honors.
“We are devastated by the loss of security guard and our friend, Kevin Nishita. 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’s Vice President and General Manager Jim Rose said in a statement.
KRON4 staff members who knew and worked with Nishita are sharing their thoughts on social media.
Not the news any of us wanted to share this morning. My heart breaks for our security guard’s family, and our entire KRON4 news family. This is so senseless. Reward now $32,500
https://t.co/Ks7uOYHthi
— Noelle Bellow (@noellebellow)
November 27, 2021
My heart is broken. I’m scared for me. I’m scared for my colleagues. Friends from all stations are talking to each other-our own support group. And then woke up to heartbreak. He was my friend. He was our friend and now he is gone
@kron4news
— Will Tran (@KRON4WTran)
November 27, 2021
I’m at a loss of words … praying for his family and loved ones and to my colleagues. May he Rest In Peace
https://t.co/Q9zwYetHfb
— Omar Pérez (@omarpereztv)
November 27, 2021
The shock and fear from the day of the shooting are back all over again. I don't even know where to begin. I'm so angry that such tragedy happened to a man whose everyday job was to protect others. RIP Kevin. Thank you for your service.
https://t.co/kprBMh3IMY
— Kelly Kim (@KKimKRON4)
November 27, 2021
Kevin was genuine, humble and always did the job with a smile on his face.
He was our private security guard that kept our team and numerous other Bay Area reporters safe while our in the field.
Kevin will be missed.
https://t.co/j3KyaTBWn4
— Camila Barco (@cbarcotv)
November 27, 2021
I worked with Kevin often. He was a really good guy who took his job seriously. His loss is a heavy blow.
https://t.co/b4gU2qUYGc
— Chuck Clifford (@chuckclifford)
November 27, 2021
This isn’t fair. Been on the phone with friends from all stations this morning. We are calling each other. We are heartbroken. Our friend was an angel. Always jolly. Always KIND. And now he is gone. This is too much to bear
pic.twitter.com/2OUwRuBnIZ
— Will Tran (@KRON4WTran)
November 27, 2021
Crushing. My heart goes out to Kevin’s family & friends

Reporting the news should not be so dangerous.
https://t.co/ZPDCcSy44N
— GrantLodes (@GrantLodes)
November 27, 2021
RIP Kevin

he did everything with a smile and was always a joy to work with.
https://t.co/UeFzLnsHvK
— Taylor Bisacky (@TaylorBisackyTV)
November 27, 2021
Words cannot express my heartbreak. Kevin Nishita was a good man who took his job seriously. He kept me and my colleagues safe. He did not deserve this. He and his family will be forever in my prayers.
https://t.co/2Eo9Qf4SVv
— Maureen Kelly (@KRON4MKelly)
November 27, 2021
Kevin Nishita honorably and bravely protected Bay Area TV reporters for years. I don’t pray very often but I prayed for him.
This morning we are heartbroken.

The
@ACSOSheriffs escorted his body from the hospital in Oakland with full law enforcement honors.
pic.twitter.com/LfSEdWfzJj
— Amy Larson (@AmyLarson25)
November 27, 2021
Bay Area police departments are also remembering Kevin.
“It is with heavy hearts and sadness that we share the news of the passing of former Officer Kevin Nishita #3740. Kevin served the San José community with pride from 2001-2012. He was a crime fighter, even in retirement,” San José Police Media Relations wrote on Twitter.
3/ Press release forthcoming. Our condolences to family, friends, and the others he touched with his infectious smile. Godspeed Officer Nishita #3740.
pic.twitter.com/qlLAK1y8Eq
— San José Police Media Relations (@SJPD_PIO)
November 27, 2021
“We mourn the loss of retired police officer Kevin Nishita who honorably served our Bay Area Community. He was protecting/guarding a local news crew when he was senselessly murdered. Today, we escorted his body from the hospital with full law enforcement honors,” the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office wrote on Twitter.
Representative Eric Swalwell retweeted the tweet saying, “This is heartbreaking. Retired Officer Kevin Nishita was murdered while protecting a @kron4news crew from an armed robbery. Nishita served many police agencies, including CA-15’s @HaywardPD. May he Rest In Peace and his killer meet justice.”
This is heartbreaking. Retired Officer Kevin Nishita was murdered while protecting a
@kron4news crew from an armed robbery. Nishita served many police agencies, including CA-15’s
@HaywardPD. May he Rest In Peace and his killer meet justice.
https://t.co/XQfNS0Bmbb
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell)
November 27, 2021
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of retired Sergeant Kevin Nishita. On 11/24/21, Kevin was shot while providing security as an armed guard in Oakland. He was rushed to a local hospital for medical attention and succumbed to his injuries this morning.
pic.twitter.com/ut1jKx4tyi
— Colma Police Department (@ColmaPD)
November 27, 2021