A 38-year-old Sacramento woman was shot and killed on September 8 in a parking lot near a restaurant, in what authorities describe as the culmination of months of stalking by a man who had been living in the United States illegally. The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Rohit Rohit, died later the same day from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after deputies located his vehicle using an automated license-plate reader system.
Victim Identified as Shalini Thakur
Authorities have not officially released the victim’s name, but her mother, Sudesh Kumari, confirmed to CNN affiliate KCRA that her daughter was Shalini Thakur, a Sacramento resident. Kumari, who said goodbye to her only child at a funeral on Monday, is questioning whether more could have been done to protect her. The service was attended by Kumari, Thakur’s uncle, friends, and even a customer from the IHOP where Thakur worked; the rest of her family remains in India.
Friends remembered Thakur’s vibrant spirit. “I want to honor her heart and her kindness,” Melinda Willey, who became friends with Thakur, told KMAX/KOVR. “She was a lady with a vibrant personality. Larger than life, with this glow about her, her aura,” Satinder Dulai, another friend, told the outlet. “She had a bubbly personality. She had a lot of goals. And I think one by one, she was completing them. She was a little feisty, but very loving.”
Suspect Details and Immigration Status
Rohit Rohit, an Indian national, entered the U.S. through Arizona in 2023, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He and Thakur knew each other through work; court documents obtained by KCRA indicate Thakur met Rohit when he picked up DoorDash orders from her workplace. A DoorDash spokesperson confirmed Rohit had passed a background check using a Social Security number but had not been active on the platform for over six weeks and was not working the day of the shooting. The company stated it had received no prior reports about him.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy, and our hearts are with Ms. Thakur’s family and loved ones as they grieve this immense loss,” a DoorDash spokesperson said.
Stalking Timeline and Escalation
Investigators say the harassment began in at least January when Thakur discovered an Apple AirTag hidden under the hood of her car. The behavior intensified over the months:
- Rohit deflated Thakur’s tires and followed her to her workplace, offering to help.
- He obtained a copy of her apartment key, entered while she was sleeping, and claimed he was worried because she hadn’t answered him.
“Despite the bizarre behavior, the victim initially declined to pursue charges or obtain a restraining order,” the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies and detectives remained in contact with Thakur out of concern for her safety. In May, after repeated urging, she obtained a restraining order. In late July, Rohit allegedly violated that order by leaving groceries at her door.
Law Enforcement Response and Investigation
On September 8, deputies responded around 3 p.m. after witnesses reported a shooting. The sheriff’s office said Rohit had been waiting for Thakur at a shopping center; she was dropped off at her vehicle shortly before the attack. “As the victim attempted to run away, Rohit chased her down, pulled out a firearm, and shot her multiple times,” the news release stated. Thakur fell to the ground, and Rohit fired additional shots. Sheriff Jim Cooper posted a brief, blurry video on Facebook that he said depicted the shooting.
Witnesses provided a description of the suspect’s car. Deputies used Flock, an automated license-plate reader system, to track the vehicle. Within minutes, they located it. As they attempted a traffic stop, the driver slammed on the brakes. After trying to call the driver out, deputies discovered Rohit had died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Political Reaction and Sanctuary Policy Debate
The case has ignited a political firestorm over immigration enforcement. DHS issued a statement blaming the Biden administration and California’s sanctuary laws.
“This tragedy would have been completely avoided if it weren’t for the Biden Administration RELEASING this killer into our country,” a DHS spokesperson told CNN. “Sanctuary politicians must put an end to reckless policies that play Russian roulette with American lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and her family.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom pushed back, attributing the DHS statement to the California Values Act, which limits local law enforcement’s involvement in immigration enforcement.
“Trying to turn a horrific act of stalking and domestic violence into an indictment of California’s sanctuary policies is not supported by the evidence and distracts from the real issues this case raises — law enforcement preventing stalking and domestic violence, enforcing restraining orders, and keeping victims safe,” Newsom’s spokesperson, Diana Crofts-Pelayo, told CNN.
Research cited in the debate includes a National Institute of Justice summary of a Texas study finding undocumented immigrants were arrested for violent and drug-related crimes at less than half the rate of native-born U.S. citizens, and National Bureau of Economic Research data showing lower incarceration rates for immigrants overall.
Remembering Shalini Thakur
As the investigation continues, Thakur’s loved ones are honoring her memory. An obituary page collects written tributes from former coworkers and friends. A GoFundMe campaign organized to support her family describes her as “a caring, loving, selfless, and generous young woman who gave so much of herself to others” and someone whose kindness left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her.
Resources for Domestic Violence Victims
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available 24/7:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Text: “START” to 88788
- Online chat: Available at thehotline.org
