Oakland security guard dies after the grandfather of three was shot while protecting a TV crew reporting on scourge of smash-and-grab looting in Bay Area

 An Oakland security guard has died from a bullet wound he suffered after the retired cop was shot while he protected reporters at the scene of an armed robbery in the crime-ravaged Bay Area 

Kevin Nishita, a father of two and grandfather of three, was on assignment to guard the KRON4 team as it was reporting on the latest smash-and-grab raid in California on Wednesday when a robber targeted the TV crew for their cameras. 

Nishita, a former police officer, confronted one of 12 masked robbers to protect the reporters, and the thief shot him in the lower abdomen. He was rushed to Highland Hospital to undergo surgery, but died on Saturday morning. 

KRON4, its parent company Nexstar Media Inc., Nishita's employer Star Protection Agency and the Oakland Police Department have issued a $32,500 reward for information on the suspects. 

'We are devastated by the loss of security guard and our friend, Kevin Nishita,' KRON4's Vice President Jim Rose said in a statement. 'This senseless loss of life is due to yet another violent criminal act in the Bay Area.' 

The death comes as the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles and other cities across the country continue to face brazen robberies at the hands of organized flash mobs.  

Kevin Nishita, a former police officer, was guarding the KRON4 news team when an armed thieve tried to take their cameras. The robber shot Nishita in the lower abdomen, and the officer was rushed to the Highland Hospital where he died on Saturday

Kevin Nishita, a former police officer, was guarding the KRON4 news team when an armed thieve tried to take their cameras. The robber shot Nishita in the lower abdomen, and the officer was rushed to the Highland Hospital where he died on Saturday

Twelve masked robbers entered the Prime 356 store in Oakland on Wednesday and stripped its shelves of merchandise. KRON4's reporters were near the scene of the incident

Twelve masked robbers entered the Prime 356 store in Oakland on Wednesday and stripped its shelves of merchandise. KRON4's reporters were near the scene of the incident

The news team from KRON4 had been reporting on Wednesday on a robbery which had involved 12 armed thugs wearing masks and hoods targeting a Prime 356 clothing store in Oakland. Pictured: Police are seen arriving at the scene following the incident
Pictured: Police are seen arriving at the scene following the incident

The news team from KRON4 had been reporting on Wednesday on a robbery which had involved 12 armed thugs wearing masks and hoods targeting a Prime 356 clothing store in Oakland. Pictured: Police are seen arriving at the scene following the incident

The news team from KRON4 had been reporting on Wednesday on a robbery which had involved 12 armed thugs wearing masks and hoods targeting a Prime 356 clothing store in Oakland.

It is not uncommon for news teams to hire private security to ensure the safety of everyone involved. 

Police officers also later found an additional victim - a Berkley man who had been hit by shrapnel - who was also transported to hospital. He is in a stable condition. 

The Alameda County Sheriff's Office, where Nishita had previously served, escorted his body out of the hospital with full law enforcement honors. 

'We mourn the loss of retired police officer Kevin Nishita who honorably served our Bay Area Community,' the office tweeted. 'He was protecting/guarding a local news crew when he was senselessly murdered.' 

Nishita had also worked for the Hayward, San Jose and Colma Police Departments, as well as for the Oakland Housing Authority.  

Will Tran, a KRON4 anchor, said the station was heartbroken to learn about Nishita's death. He had worked alongside reporters for many years. 

'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,' Tran tweeted.

The Alameda County Sheriff's Office, where Kevin Nishita had previously served, escorted his body out of the hospital with full law enforcement honors.

The Alameda County Sheriff's Office, where Kevin Nishita had previously served, escorted his body out of the hospital with full law enforcement honors.

KRON4 News anchor Will Tran mourned Nishita's death as he was a friend of the station

KRON4 News anchor Will Tran mourned Nishita's death as he was a friend of the station

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