All Three Suspects Plead Guilty in 2021 Murder of Ex-Cop and KRON4 Security Guard Kevin Nishita

The three men accused in the killing of security guard Kevin Nishita while he was on the job protecting a KRON4 news crew have all pleaded guilty.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The three men accused of killing security guard Kevin Nishita in 2021 while he was providing security for a KRON4 news crew have all pleaded guilty, with the shooter pleading guilty to first-degree murder. Nishita was a retired Colma and San Jose police officer who was shot in the chest when the suspects tried to steal the news crew's camera equipment.

Why it matters

The killing of Kevin Nishita galvanized public sentiment against the Alameda County District Attorney at the time, Pamela Price, who was seen as mishandling the prosecution. The case highlights the ongoing challenges of crime and public safety in the Bay Area, as well as the risks faced by journalists and media crews covering such incidents.

The details

Laron Gilbert, one of the three suspects, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and is expected to be sentenced to 30 years to life. The other two suspects, Sahdihia Mitchell and Hershel Hale, pleaded no contest to lesser charges of robbery. The murder trial was set to start within about three weeks.

  • The incident occurred in 2021.
  • Gilbert was not arrested and extradited back until 2024.
  • The three suspects have now all pleaded guilty in early 2026.

The players

Kevin Nishita

A retired Colma and San Jose police officer who was providing security for a KRON4 news team when he was shot and killed.

Laron Gilbert

One of the three suspects, who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and is expected to be sentenced to 30 years to life.

Sahdihia Mitchell

One of the three suspects, who pleaded no contest to lesser charges of robbery.

Hershel Hale

One of the three suspects, who pleaded no contest to lesser charges of robbery.

Pamela Price

The Alameda County District Attorney at the time, who was seen as mishandling the prosecution of the case.

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What’s next

The judge will now determine the sentencing for the three suspects, with Laron Gilbert expected to receive 30 years to life for the first-degree murder charge.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of crime and public safety in the Bay Area, as well as the risks faced by journalists and media crews covering such incidents. It also underscores the importance of effective prosecution and the impact that perceived mishandling of cases can have on public trust in the criminal justice system.