OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) – A reward has been increased to help catch the criminal who shot a KRON4 security guard during an attempted robbery of a KRON4 news crew.
After contributions by KRON4 and parent company Nexstar Media Inc., the security company associated with the guard, Star Protection Agency, and Oakland police the total reward is now $25,000.
The money will be given to the person who provides information that leads to the arrest of the individual, or individuals involved in the shooting.
Police say the incident was an attempt to steal camera equipment on November 24.
The KRON4 crew was covering a story on a recent smash-and-grab robbery where 12 thieves wearing masks and hoods raided the Prime 356 clothing store on the 300 block of 14th Street.
The shots were fired around 12:20 p.m. Wednesday.
The KRON4 security guard was shot in the lower abdomen and taken to Highland Hospital for surgery, according to police.
As of 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, the guard is out of surgery and in stable condition. The guard is a former police officer.
Officers later found an additional victim involved in the incident; a Berkeley man who was also transported to Highland Hospital for treatment and as of Wednesday was listed in stable condition. The man was hit by bullet shrapnel according to police.
In a statement released to KRON4 on Wednesday police had listed two additional victims, but later clarified there was only one additional victim.
The additional victim was released from the hospital on November 25.
The KRON4 reporter was not physically injured but is understandably shaken.
“As you know it’s been an extremely violent week. We are asking if you were in the area, have a business or live nearby to please check your surveillance footage as you may have captured the crime before, during, or after it occurred,” Oakland police said in a press conference.
Local television stations, including KRON4, regularly use security guards when covering news stories.
In the past, a number of Bay Area news stations have been targeted for their camera equipment by thieves.
“At KRON 4, the safety of our personnel is our top priority which is why we assign security to reporters when working in the field. Most importantly, our thoughts and prayers are with the security guard and his family and we wish him a complete recovery,” KRON4’s Vice President and General Manager Jim Rose said in a statement.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact investigators at (510) 238-3426.
This is a developing story and will be updated with more information as it becomes available.