Ashburn Dog Park Attack Leading To Victim's Death Prompts Prison Sentence

ASHBURN, VA — A man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for a fatal attack in an Ashburn apartment complex dog park, according to the Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney's office.

A jury had found Ever Rafael Cruz, 26, guilty of second-degree murder and one count of aggravated malicious wounding in August 2024 after a five-day trial. In Loudoun County Circuit Court on March 20, a judge gave Cruz the 20-year active sentence.

The sentence relates to an Aug. 14, 2023 attack at an Ashburn apartment complex in the 45100 block of Waterpointe Terrace. Prosecutors say Cruz and the victim, Pedro Casalez Cala, 38, of Ashburn, were having an altercation at the dog park. During the fight, Cruz struck Cala on the head and continued to punch and stop him until he appeared lifeless.

Cruz fled the scene after the attack. The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office helped the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office arrest Cruz in Frederick, Maryland the next day.

Casalez Cala, was taken to the hospital and died of his injuries six days later.

Family and friends testified in court about the victim's character.

"He worked every day except for 1 day a week—Pedro worked so much because he had so many dreams that he wanted to fulfill," an excerpt of the testimony said, according to the prosecutor's office.

Prosecutors had sought the maximum sentence, pointing to the brutality of the case and Cruz's claim of self-defense despite only bruises to his feet and hands. The prosecutors believed that "being near his girlfriend" motivated Cruz to beat the victim to death. The judge noted that the jury had evidence that Cruz caused the death and that he wasn't acting in self-defense.

Cruz had received 40 years for each charge, with 20 years suspended for each. That resulted in the 20-year active sentence.