SAG-AFTRA mourns the loss of Kevin Nishita, a beloved security guard who died from injuries he sustained while protecting one of the union’s members. Nishita was shot Wednesday during an attempted armed robbery in Oakland of a KRON-TV journalist, and he passed away from his injuries on Saturday. The member he was protecting was not physically harmed.
“I am heartbroken over this senseless and tragic loss of life. What is the world coming to when the war zone is in our own backyard? This is why we need more protections for our broadcasters,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. “Kevin Nishita died a hero, giving his life to save others. My heart goes out to his loved ones."
Nishita, a former police officer, worked for the Star Protection Agency, which is used by numerous Bay Area news organizations to protect their employees. He had a reputation in the Bay Area news community for being a kind man who was always concerned about the welfare of others.
Violent attacks on reporters have been on the rise in recent years, particularly in the Bay Area, and the SAG-AFTRA San Francisco-Northern California Local has been holding quarterly safety summits with Bay Area police departments, station management, members and sister unions to discuss and implement safety measures for journalists in the field.
Nishita leaves behind a wife, two children and three grandchildren. His killer has not been caught, and a reward of $32,500 is being offered for information leading to the perpetrator’s arrest.
Photo courtesy Star Protection Agency.
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