Suspect In East Bay Dogwalker Shooting Charged With Murder

SAN LEANDRO, CA — A 21-year-old man suspected of shooting a woman as she walked her dogs in San Leandro last week will be tried for murder, Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson announced Tuesday.

Rohith Sunil is accused of murdering Casey Way Thursday as she walked her dogs with a friend on East 14th Street, according to prosecutors. He has also been charged with assault with a semi-automatic gun and carrying a loaded weapon in public, both of which are felonies. The charges against Sunil include sentencing enhancements for the personal use of a firearm, Dickson announced.

If convicted, Sunil could be sentenced to up to 50 years to life in state prison.

Way, 41, was shot and killed Shortly after 11 p.m. on Thursday. Sunil had a conversation with Way and her friend, and then pulled out a handgun and shot Way, the district attorney’s office announced. Sunil’s friend and the dogs were unharmed.

Way was transported to a local hospital but died as a result of her injuries, according to San Leandro police.

Police have not publicly identified a motive for the slaying.

Sunil is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. in Department 702 at the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin.