Retired Cop Turned Security Guard Fatally Shot Protecting News Crew on Day Off: A Tragic Targeted Attack

A retired California police officer, who was working security for a news crew on his day off, was tragically killed during a robbery by three individuals who have now been sentenced to lengthy prison terms.

Kevin Nishita, a 56-year-old former officer with the Oakland Police Department, was providing protection to a television news crew when he was attacked by Laron Gilbert, Shadihia Mitchell, and Hershel Hale. During the robbery for camera equipment, Nishita was shot in the abdomen. The incident occurred in November 2021, on the eve of Thanksgiving. This week, an Alameda County court handed down sentences to the three men, who faced murder and other charges.

Laron Gilbert, identified as the shooter, was sentenced to 30 years to life after entering a no contest plea to first-degree murder. His accomplices, Mitchell and Hale, also pleaded no contest, receiving 25-year sentences each for robbery. Their convictions were secured in February.

During the sentencing, Nishita’s wife, Virginia Nishita, delivered an emotional victim impact statement. She reflected on how her husband had been asked to work for just a few hours that fateful day.

“Saying ‘OK’ has haunted me,” she shared, as reported by local CBS affiliate KPIX. “I wish I could go back to that day and say, ‘No, it’s your day off. Let’s prepare our Thanksgiving meal. Let’s continue what we’re doing. Don’t go to work.’ I wish I could go back to that day and say, ‘no.’

Kevin and Virginia Nishita had two children and three grandchildren. He was working security for local CW affiliate KRON in Oakland when the shooting happened. He died three days later while in the hospital.

“During the course of the investigation through surveillance video, forensic evidence and witness statements, Laron Gilbert, Hershel Hale and Shadihia Mitchell were identified as the suspects responsible for the attempted robbery,” Oakland Police said in charging documents obtained and previously reported by Law&Crime.

Nishita worked with the Oakland Housing Authority, Hayward Police Department, San Jose Police Department, and Colma Police Department over the course of his career.

Speaking shortly after the murder, his daughter Maureen Campos described how her father was preparing to join them on a vacation.

“I know for one thing he wants us to stop crying,” she told KPIX at the time. “I know he’ll want us to take the vacation, but to be honest it’s too hard to do, and I don’t even know how many months can pass until we can go on that airplane.”