Police say a 21-year-old guy drew up in a car and “accosted the couple” before reportedly opening fire and driving off in his vehicle, killing a California lady who was out for a late-night walk with her dogs and boyfriend last week.
The San Leandro Police Department provided a statement to Law&Crime regarding the shooting that occurred in Alameda County on Thursday night, stating that “after a brief interaction, the suspect drew a firearm and shot the victim once in the torso.” According to the authorities, “the victim’s boyfriend and the two dogs were physically unharmed.”
According to the SLPD statement, Rohith Sunil, 21, of San Jose, was taken into custody by the Dublin Police Department just before midnight on Thursday within its jurisdiction after shooting the female victim at East 14th and Williams streets at around 11:11 p.m. in San Leandro.
“The preliminary investigation revealed the victim, and her boyfriend, were walking their dogs in the 1800 block of East 14th Street when the suspect vehicle pulled over near them,” according to police. “The suspect exited the vehicle and accosted the couple.”
Sunil allegedly opened fire on the two after a brief altercation, then got back in his car and drove away. The female victim and her boyfriend are seen holding hands and walking her dogs just before the fatal gunshot in police-released surveillance footage. Police attempted to take the woman to a nearby hospital, “but she did not survive,” SLPD officials said.
Sunhil was first taken into custody by Dublin police for gun possession. His car’s description and the events leading up to that arrest “closely matched those from the San Leandro homicide,” according to the SLPD statement.
“Following up on this lead, SLPD detectives were able to develop more evidence and ultimately place 21-year-old Rohith Sunil of San Jose under arrest for murder,” the police agency stated. “This case will be presented to the Alameda County District Attorney’s office for prosecution.”
Residents are worried about their safety after the shooting, which occurs only weeks after another person was shot dead in San Leandro while walking their dogs. Police have commented on whether the two instances are related.
“We recognize the parallels between this case and last month’s murder of another victim walking his dog, and we acknowledge the public safety concerns this may raise within the community,” the police agency stated. “So far, neither the two killings nor the people detained in each case have been linked by our investigation. Additionally, we have not discovered any evidence that they are a component of a mounting pattern.
However, locals told local media that they are beginning to wonder if it is still safe to walk around the San Leandro region, especially at night. The motivation for the most recent shooting has not been disclosed by the police.
“I’m scared,” San Leandro homeowner Dulce Macias told local ABC affiliate KGO. “You can’t even go for a walk now.”
SLPD officials say they “urge anyone with additional information” about the most recent incident to contact the police department or anonymous tip line, even though an arrest has been made.
