A 38-year-old Indian-origin woman was allegedly chased and shot dead outside a restaurant in Sacramento, California, on Tuesday after months of stalking and harassment by a 22-year-old man, according to reports. The suspect later shot down himself inside the car.
The victim has been identified as Shalini Thakur who was being dropped off at work at a shopping plaza in Sacramento’s Arden Arcade area when the suspect identified as Rohit allegedly approached her.
Thakur reportedly tried to run after seeing him, but Rohit allegedly chased her and opened fire in front of several witnesses. She was shot multiple times, and after she fell, the suspect allegedly fired another shot at her head.
Thakur was found unresponsive outside a Panera Bread restaurant in the 800 block of Howe Avenue. She was pronounced her dead at the scene.
Stalking began In 2025
The shooting came after Rohit had allegedly been stalking and harassing Thakur for several months.
According to ABC10, Thakur knew Rohit as a DoorDash delivery driver who allegedly spent hours parked outside her home and spoke to her regularly.
The alleged stalking began in January, when Thakur discovered an Apple AirTag under her car, which she believed had been placed there to track her.
Rohit wanted Thakur to marry him and tried to control who she socialised with. He also allegedly threatened to shoot himself or people she met, according to reports.
Authorities said he later deflated Thakur’s car tyres and followed her to work, where he allegedly pretended to offer assistance.
He also allegedly got a key to Thakur’s apartment and entered her home while she was sleeping.
Mother says daughter was terrified
Thakur’s mother, Sudesh Kumari said her daughter had been stalked and harassed by Rohit for nearly a year.
According to Kumari, Rohit wanted to marry her daughter, but Thakur rejected him because of their significant age difference. Kumari said her daughter was frightened by his behaviour.
In her final conversation with her only child, Thakur spoke to her mother by phone at 1:58 pm, nearly an hour before the shooting. She told her mother she would call back within 15 minutes, but never did.
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Worried, Kumari sent her daughter WhatsApp messages, including, “Please call me” and “I am worried about you.”
Thakur had obtained a restraining order
Thakur had taken legal action against Rohit and obtained a restraining order against him in May.
However, according to reports, the alleged stalking continued despite the order. His behaviour reportedly continued as recently as July.
In late July, Rohit allegedly left grocery items outside Thakur’s home despite the restraining order.
The allegations have raised further questions about whether the restraining order provided adequate protection as the alleged harassment escalated.
Suspect dies after police stop on Highway 50
After the shooting, Rohit reportedly fled the scene in a vehicle. Authorities later tracked the vehicle to eastbound Highway 50.
When officers attempted to stop him, he reportedly slammed on the brakes and stopped on the highway, leading to a standoff with police.
Officers found Rohit in the driver’s seat with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities later confirmed that he had died from the wound.
Police are continuing to investigate the shooting, the alleged stalking and harassment.