3 Suspects Plead Guilty in Killing of Bay Area Security Guard

The men were charged in the 2021 murder of Kevin Nishita, who was protecting a TV news crew in Oakland.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Three suspects charged in the killing of Bay Area security guard Kevin Nishita have pleaded guilty weeks before their scheduled trial. Nishita was fatally shot in November 2021 while protecting a TV news crew in Oakland during an attempted robbery. The man accused of pulling the trigger, Laron Gilbert, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and is expected to be sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. Gilbert's accomplices, Shadihia Mitchell and Hershel Hale, pleaded guilty to robbery with gang enhancements and could face up to 25 years in prison.

Why it matters

The resolution of this high-profile case, which sparked outrage in the Bay Area, reflects the strength of the prosecution's case and the efforts of law enforcement to hold the perpetrators accountable. The guilty pleas provide some measure of justice for Nishita's family and the broader community.

The details

Laron Gilbert pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, while his accomplices Shadihia Mitchell and Hershel Hale pleaded guilty to robbery with gang enhancements. Gilbert is expected to be sentenced to 30 years to life in prison, while Mitchell and Hale could face up to 25 years each.

  • Kevin Nishita was killed in November 2021 while protecting a TV news crew in Oakland.
  • The suspects pleaded guilty on Friday, weeks before their scheduled trial.
  • The suspects are scheduled to be sentenced on April 7.

The players

Laron Gilbert

The man accused of pulling the trigger and killing Kevin Nishita. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.

Shadihia Mitchell

One of Gilbert's accomplices who pleaded guilty to robbery with gang enhancements.

Hershel Hale

Another one of Gilbert's accomplices who pleaded guilty to robbery with gang enhancements.

Kevin Nishita

The Bay Area security guard who was fatally shot while protecting a TV news crew in Oakland.

Virginia Nishita

Kevin Nishita's widow.

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What they’re saying

“Some of you may think it's not enough time because a life was taken. Well, look at the laws in place right now. And without a doubt, this is the justice that is in California at this time. So I think justice did prevail according to these current laws.”

— Virginia Nishita, Kevin Nishita's widow (nbcbayarea.com)

“The resolution of this case is both extraordinary and rare. That defendant Laron Gilbert pled guilty to first degree murder and agreed to be sentenced to 30 years to life reflects the strength of the case that was built by my office and the Oakland Police Department. Deputy District Attorney Allyson Donovan and our inspectors' division deserve special recognition for their efforts to make this case airtight.”

— Ursela Jones Dickson, Alameda County District Attorney (nbcbayarea.com)

What’s next

The three suspects are scheduled to be sentenced on April 7.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges of prosecuting violent crimes and the importance of strong law enforcement efforts to build airtight cases, even in the face of complex legal and sentencing frameworks. The guilty pleas provide some closure for the Nishita family and the broader community, though the loss of a life can never be fully reconciled.