Dates: July 1, 1965 – November 27, 2021
The Tragedy:
On the afternoon of Nov. 24, a reporter was on assignment covering a retail theft in Oakland with Nishita when someone shot him while trying to rob them of their camera equipment. The reporter was physically uninjured, but Nishita was hospitalized and died days later from the gunshot wound.
More info:
- UrbanHollywood411.com: TV Station Security Guard Dies After Being Shot While Protecting News Crew
- WEAU 13 News: Guard for news crew dies after being shot in attempted robbery
The Service:
Kevin Nishita was honored at a memorial on 9 DEC 2021 at San Jose Civic auditorium.
“That was in his personality. To be that protector, to be that brave one that just wanted to protect people. So for the community, he definitely protected people. But he asked them, ‘how can I help you?’ He has a kind heart like that and that’s why he joined the police force,” Nishita’s wife Virginia said.
The entire Sangha of the Mountain View Buddhist Temple extends our deepest condolences to Kevin’s family whom we will support in any way we can during this difficult period. Kevin is now being embraced by Amida Buddha and is safe and at peace in our hearts and minds. We honor and thank Kevin, a Temple member who embodied compassion, and offer our deepest gratitude to him for being part of our lives.
More info:
- KCBS Radio
- 7ABC: TV news guard fatally shot in Oakland remembered as ‘caring, courageous’ at memorial
The Justice:
Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong on Dec. 22 announced arrests in connection with the death of Kevin Nishita, who was guarding a TV news crew when he was shot.
“We have made two arrests in that case,” Armstrong said. “We continue to investigate the case and work with the (Alameda County) District Attorney’s Office on charging.
“We feel strongly that we’ve identified the third suspect as well that we are seeking right now with the help of our law enforcement partners … We are closing in on this investigation. We have worked diligently around the clock to identify the people responsible.
More info:
- KRON4: 2 arrests made in killing of KRON4 security guard Kevin Nishita
- SFIST.com: Arrests Made In Murder of TV News Security Guard Kevin Nishita, Third Suspect Still at Large
Delivery:
The painting has not yet been delivered as we hope to deliver in person and are working to schedule a trip to San Jose.