Mary Toste, 93, of Penryn, California, was killed on January 15, 2019 when she was struck by gunfire while standing at her door. The shooting was one episode in a wider series of attacks across Placer County: the suspect drove a Dodge pickup and fired multiple rounds while traveling along Rock Springs Road, creating seven identified crime scenes between Newcastle and Roseville. Two other motorists were targeted; one was hit and later received treatment at a nearby fire station.

The suspect’s rampage ended on Westbound I-80 near the Highway 65 connector ramp, where an encounter with law enforcement resulted in an officer-involved shooting and the suspect’s death. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office led the homicide investigation while the Roseville Police Department handled the officer-involved shooting aspect. Mary was remembered by those who knew her as warm, kind, and strong; she had recently lost her husband of 72 years to pneumonia. The motive for the shootings has not been stated.

If readers knew Mary or have information about events along Rock Springs Road that evening, please share what you remember.