A security guard was murdered while protecting a news team covering a “flash mob” theft in San Francisco.
Major metropolitan areas — especially San Francisco and other California cities — are battling a wave of smash-and-grab robberies, in which large groups of armed people rob stores and overwhelm employees.
On Wednesday, a crew from KRON4 — a local San Francisco news channel — covered one such story, in which 12 thieves wearing masks and hoods raided a clothing store. As an assailant tried to steal KRON4’s camera equipment, Kevin Nishita — an armed guard hired to protect the crew — was shot in the abdomen. He passed away on Saturday morning after receiving treatment at Highland Hospital.
“The victim is Kevin Nishita. He leaves behind a wife, two children and three grandchildren,” explained KRON4. “Nishita worked as an armed guard for Star Protection Agency. Prior to working as a guard, he served as a police officer at the Oakland Housing Authority, Hayward Police, San Jose Police, and the Colma Police departments. A reward of $32,500 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.”
A bystander was also hit by bullet shrapnel; he is presently in stable condition.