Search continues for third suspect in murder of news crew guard

Police repeated a month-old request for help from the public finding the third suspect in the shooting death of a man guarding a news crew in Oakland in November.

In a social media post at 8 p.m. Sunday, Oakland police reported that 27-year-old Laron Gilbert is wanted in connection with the murder of Kevin Nishita, a retired police officer who was shot Nov. 24 while he was on duty for a KRON4 news crew in the 300 block of 14th Street in Oakland.

Police urge anyone with information on Gilbert’s whereabouts to call the department at (510) 238-3426.

Police arrested two men in March in connection with the shooting: 25-year-old Shadihia Mitchell and 24-year-old Hershel Hale. Both men and Gilbert were charged with murder, prosecutors said in March.

Mitchell, Hale and Gilbert have also been charged with attempted second-degree robbery, assault with a semi-automatic firearm and a special allegation of felony murder, Assistant Alameda County District Attorney Michael Nieto said one month ago.

At the time, Oakland police asked for help from the public to find Gilbert.

All three are thought to be criminal street gang members out of San Francisco, Oakland Police Lt. Frederick Shavies said.

Although Gilbert was in custody months ago on a parole violation, the police investigation was not far enough along to charge him then, Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong said in March.

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