By Jim Emerson
SAN LEANDRO — A suspect approached a couple walking dogs, asked them for directions,
and then fatally shot the woman.
The alleged perpetrator, Rohith Sunil, 21, of San Jose, has been arrested and charged with murder.
The couple was walking to a liquor store in San Leandro on the night of July 17, accompanied
by their two dogs.
The female victim Casey Lyn Way, never got there. She was shot in her
torso and collapsed on the sidewalk.
Her boyfriend and two dogs were not injured.
San Leandro police responded to the shooting near the intersection of East 14th and Williams
streets. Officers found the victim unresponsive, shortly after 11 p.m., suffering from one
gunshot wound. She was transported to a hospital, where she later died.
Police learned the suspect was driving along 1800 block of East 14th Street, when he pulled
over near the couple.
“The suspect exited the vehicle and accosted the couple,” San Leandro
police said in a prepared statement. “After a brief interaction the suspect drew a firearm and
shot the victim.”
Evidently, the victim was checking her phone for directions, when the suspect noticed she
was wearing a red bandanna.
The suspect apparently asked the couple if they were gang members, which they denied.
Sunil allegedly proceeded to shoot woman and fled from the area.
Investigators learned that a man matching the description of the suspect was arrested by
Dublin police for possession of a firearm.
Turns out the firearm was stolen. His vehicle also matched the description of the getaway vehicle associated with the shooting earlier in San
Leandro.
Sunil was placed under arrest on July 18 at 4:29 a.m.
He has prior arrests for carrying a loaded firearm, carry of concealed weapon, ammunition of school grounds and possession of a gun without identifying numbers.
He was booked into Alameda County Santa Rita Jail, ineligible for release on bond, pending a plea hearing on July 28.
