3 Men Sentenced in Killing of Oakland Security Guard

Trio convicted in 2021 shooting death of former police officer Kevin Nishita during news crew robbery attempt

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:34pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered camera lens, the glass cracked and reflecting a faint red light, conceptually illustrating the violence and danger faced by media crews reporting in high-crime areas.The shattered remains of a camera lens serve as a stark reminder of the risks journalists and media crews face while reporting in dangerous urban environments.San Jose Today

Three men have been sentenced for the 2021 killing of Bay Area security guard Kevin Nishita, a former police officer who was gunned down during an attempted robbery while protecting a television news crew in Oakland. The gunman faces 30 years to life in prison, while his two accomplices were sentenced to up to 25 years.

Why it matters

The tragic death of Kevin Nishita, a respected former police officer working as a security guard, sparked outrage in the Bay Area and renewed concerns about the safety of journalists and media crews covering stories in high-crime areas. The sentencing of the three convicted killers provides some closure, but also highlights the ongoing challenges of protecting the public and the press.

The details

In November 2021, Nishita was providing security for a TV news crew reporting on a recent robbery in Oakland when he was fatally shot during an attempted robbery of the crew's equipment. In February 2022, the three men accused in the killing all pleaded guilty to charges related to Nishita's death, weeks before a trial was set to begin.

  • Kevin Nishita was killed in November 2021 while providing security for a TV news crew in Oakland.
  • The three men accused in the killing pleaded guilty in February 2022, weeks before a trial was set to begin.
  • The trio is set to be sentenced on Tuesday, April 6, 2026.

The players

Kevin Nishita

A former police officer who was working as a security guard protecting a TV news crew in Oakland when he was killed.

The Gunman

The primary suspect who faces 30 years to life in prison for Nishita's murder.

The Accomplices

Two other men convicted in Nishita's killing who face up to 25 years in prison.

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What they’re saying

“Thousands are expected to gather Thursday in San Jose for a public memorial service honoring Kevin Nishita, the security guard and former police officer who was killed in Oakland while protecting a TV news crew.”

— Kris Sanchez, NBC Bay Area Reporter

What’s next

The three men convicted in Nishita's killing are set to be sentenced on Tuesday, April 6, 2026.

The takeaway

The tragic death of Kevin Nishita, a former police officer working as a security guard, highlights the ongoing risks and challenges faced by journalists and media crews covering stories in high-crime areas. While the sentencing of his killers provides some closure, it also serves as a somber reminder of the need for greater safety measures and support for those tasked with protecting the press.