7-Eleven security guard James Johnson is shot dead in store robbery in crime-ridden Oakland – as heartbreaking footage shows his daughter breaking down in tears and collapsing outside the store

An Oakland 7-Eleven security guard was shot and killed during a store robbery, leaving his daughter in tears over his senseless killing by a suspected thief.

Just after 10 p.m., James Johnson, 59, was shot by a suspect inside the supermarket as the security guard tried to prevent the suspect from stealing merchandise, police said.

Johnson's daughter, whose name was Snow, said her father worked at the store for about two years and lived in the building behind it in the Adams Point neighborhood.

“He protected the family at 7-Eleven because I know how my father is doing. He would do that for everyone he loved and loved,” Snow said through tears KPIX 5 News.

Investigators say they have surveillance footage that captured the crime but have not yet arrested the suspect.

Johnson's daughter, Snow, broke down when she spoke about her attentive and caring father

As Snow broke down in front of the store, she revealed that she and her father had recently lost her mother, Julie Johnson, just ten months ago.

“She died four days before my birthday and I just heard from my little brother that my dad died,” Snow said.

Longtime customers gathered around the store and shared fond memories of Johnson.

'James is a good person. Good for the community and this man has helped everyone here and taken care of everyone,” said a customer named Joseph Silva.

Another customer, Brian Wolcott, said: 'He was a nice man, a huge man, quite tall. He talked to everyone who came in.”

Violent crime has increased in the city of Oakland, especially at 7-Eleven locations.

On November 25, footage captured the shocking moment a gang of gunmen attacked an armed guard before robbing a truck full of cigarettes in broad daylight.

This robbery took place outside a 7-Eleven in Oakland's Grand Lake neighborhood, about four minutes from where Johnson was shot.

Johnson worked at the 7-Eleven in the Adams Point neighborhood for about two years and lived in a house behind the store

Snow breaks down in tears outside the store after hearing that her father has died

The entire robbery lasted about 90 seconds and the gunmen reportedly made off with tens of thousands of dollars worth of cigarettes.

There have been 3,469 robberies in Oakland this year, a 36 percent increase from the previous year.

The Oakland crime report also showed that 1,554 of those robberies involved firearms.

Police said they responded to 110 homicides in 2023 alone.

Restaurants in Oakland have also been affected, losing thousands of dollars a week as their cars and jewelry were robbed mid-meal.

Many locals have now decided to avoid the city center.

As a result, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price is facing a recall. Hundreds of locals have formed a group called Save Alameda for Everyone in an effort to oust Price because of her soft approach to crime.

“Oakland is dangerous right now. Things need to change,” Silva told KPIX 5 News.

Oakland police said some of the hardest hit areas include Laurel, North Hills, Joaquin Miller and the Greater San Antonio area.

A gang of armed men attacked an armed guard before robbing a truck full of cigarettes in broad daylight in Oakland on November 25

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price is facing a recall in the wake of the violent chaos. Hundreds of locals have tried to oust her from her position

Johnson's heartbroken daughter wants justice for her father.

'He was a great man. He was a very great man. He was one of those guys who would give you anything if you needed anything,” she said.

'I hate this. This has become way too much. My condolences to his family. It's horrible to have to go through this, but it's even worse when it happens during the holidays,” someone commented on Facebook about Johnson's tragic death.

Another commenter said: 'This is so sad! Justice for this security guard!'