Key Suspects Plead Guilty in 2021 Murder of Former Officer Kevin Nishita

Laron Gilbert, Shadihia Mitchell, and Hershel Hale face lengthy prison sentences for the killing of the retired San Jose police officer.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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After more than four years, a resolution has been reached in the 2021 murder of Kevin Nishita, a retired San Jose police officer who was working as a security guard for KRON4 News. Laron Gilbert pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and will receive a sentence of 30 years to life in state prison, while Shadihia Mitchell and Hershel Hale pleaded guilty to robbery and will each serve 25 years.

Why it matters

The Nishita case gained significant attention in 2021, a period marked by heightened concerns about crime in the Bay Area. The case was initially charged by Nancy O'Malley, but later reviewed by Pamela Price, who initially suggested a different suspect as the shooter and declined to pursue sentencing enhancements. The change in approach drew criticism and fueled public debate about the direction of the Alameda County District Attorney's office.

The details

The Alameda County District Attorney's office secured a rare first-degree murder plea from Laron Gilbert, who is expected to receive a sentence of 30 years to life in state prison. Mitchell and Hale pleaded guilty to robbery and will each serve 25 years. The case, according to Deputy District Attorney Allyson Donovan, relied heavily on circumstantial evidence, including cellphone data and assistance from the U.S. Marshalls.

  • The murder of Kevin Nishita occurred in 2021.
  • The suspects pleaded guilty in February 2026.
  • The sentencing is scheduled for April 7, 2026.

The players

Laron Gilbert

Pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and is expected to receive a sentence of 30 years to life in state prison.

Shadihia Mitchell

Pleaded guilty to robbery and will serve 25 years in state prison.

Hershel Hale

Pleaded guilty to robbery and will serve 25 years in state prison.

Kevin Nishita

A retired San Jose police officer who was working as a security guard for KRON4 News when he was murdered in 2021.

Virginia Nishita

The widow of Kevin Nishita, who expressed a mix of exhaustion and relief at the resolution of the case.

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What they’re saying

“I am numb with exhaustion. I have been faithfully in these courtrooms for four years, waiting for this day to come. And here We see.”

— Virginia Nishita, Widow of Kevin Nishita

“These three individuals were driving in a car without the proper license plates. They were masked up. There were no eyewitness identifications on the scene.”

— Allyson Donovan, Deputy District Attorney

What’s next

The sentencing for Laron Gilbert, Shadihia Mitchell, and Hershel Hale is scheduled for April 7, 2026 at the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin.

The takeaway

The Nishita case highlights the challenges of prosecuting high-profile murder cases that rely heavily on circumstantial evidence, as well as the ongoing debate around crime and prosecution in the Bay Area.