The Oakland Police Department announced on Thursday that three men have been charged for the homicide of Kevin Nishita, a retired Asian-American police officer that was shot dead while working security for a TV news crew covering the surge of smash-and-grab crimes in the Bay Area last November.
Shadihia Mitchell, Hershel Kiante Hale, and Laron Gilbert were charged with murder, attempted robbery, and assault on Thursday by the Alameda County District Attorney's Office.
Oakland police chief LeRonne L. Armstrong said during the press brief that although charged, Laron Gilbert still remains at-large. He was released after being arrested on an unrelated parole violation and couldn't be held for Nishita's death as there was not enough information to charge Gilbert with the crime at the time, authorities explained.
All three suspects have rap sheets that collectively include shootings, assault of a peace officer or firefighter, illegal firearms possession, and burglary of a vehicle, FOX 2 reports.
Mitchell is the alleged gunman who opened fire on Nishita while he was working to protect a KRON4 news team from a robber that was trying to steal their cameras during the deadly smash-and-grabs, according to prosecutors.
Kevin Nishita, a father of two and grandfather of three, was shot in the abdomen and was transported to a nearby hospital where he died three days later.
Nishita's death came amid a surge in organized smash-and-grab flash mobs in the Bay Area, Chicago, Minneapolis, and elsewhere across the country, which have been emboldened by the "defund the police" movement, whose calls for police abolition has led to a change in policing policies in dealing with retail theft.
Advocates of the "defund the police" movement claim that arresting and charging criminals for retail theft is a form of "systemic racism" that disproportionately affects blacks.
Join and support independent free thinkers!
We’re independent and can’t be cancelled. The establishment media is increasingly dedicated to divisive cancel culture, corporate wokeism, and political correctness, all while covering up corruption from the corridors of power. The need for fact-based journalism and thoughtful analysis has never been greater. When you support The Post Millennial, you support freedom of the press at a time when it's under direct attack. Join the ranks of independent, free thinkers by supporting us today for as little as $1.
Remind me next month
To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy
