Janath Liyanage, a 32-year-old resident of Garden Grove, was tragically shot and killed on August 20, 2019, in the Uptown neighborhood of Oakland, California. The incident occurred around 11:13 p.m. on 20th Street, near Thomas L. Berkeley Way and San Pablo Avenue. According to police reports, Liyanage was approached by two men, Tyrone McAllister, 19, and Dennis Evans, 28, who were allegedly looking for people to rob that night.
McAllister, the estranged son of former Union City Police Chief Darryl McAllister, fired a single shot during the robbery, which ultimately led to Liyanage's death at a local hospital.
The investigation revealed that McAllister and Evans had been involved in another robbery earlier that evening. They followed a 67-year-old jewelry store owner from Oakland's Chinatown to his home, where McAllister robbed the man at gunpoint, taking three bags of groceries. This pattern of criminal behavior culminated in the fatal shooting of Liyanage. Surveillance footage and other evidence linked McAllister and Evans to the crime, leading to their arrests and subsequent charges.
Both McAllister and Evans were charged with special circumstances murder, second-degree robbery, and additional firearm-related offenses. The special circumstances charge was due to the murder occurring during the commission of a robbery, which could result in the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for McAllister. During court proceedings, McAllister's attorney did not enter a plea, and the case continued to unfold with significant media attention due to McAllister's familial connection to law enforcement.
The case highlighted the tragic consequences of McAllister's descent into criminal activity, which his father publicly lamented. Darryl McAllister expressed deep sorrow and embarrassment over his son's actions, noting that violence and crime were never part of their family's values. The elder McAllister had retired from his position as Union City Police Chief in December 2018, after a distinguished 37-year career. He had previously assisted in his son's arrest for a separate incident involving the attack of a 71-year-old Sikh man in Manteca, for which Tyrone McAllister had been convicted of attempted robbery.
The legal proceedings for the murder of Janath Liyanage continued, with both suspects facing severe penalties if convicted. The case underscored the complexities of familial relationships and the devastating impact of violent crime on communities.
