A woman was fatally shot by her stalker outside a Panera Bread in Sacramento, California, on September 8, in an incident captured on harrowing video footage. Shalini Thakur, 38, was reportedly on her way to work when she was attacked by 22-year-old Rohit Rohit, a DoorDash worker who had allegedly been harassing and stalking her for months. The confrontation occurred just before 3 p.m. near a shopping mall on Howe Avenue.
Details of the Attack
According to Lieutenant Amar Gandhi of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, Rohit approached Thakur at the mall and began to accost her. As Thakur attempted to flee, Rohit pursued her, produced a firearm, and shot her multiple times. She fell to the ground, and authorities stated that Rohit then approached her body and fired a final shot at her head at close range.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene and, upon locating Rohit as he fled in a vehicle, attempted to stop him. However, they discovered that Rohit had died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound before they could apprehend him.
A Pattern of Harassment
Homicide detectives investigating the incident learned that Rohit’s harassment of Thakur began after they met through his DoorDash deliveries to her workplace. His behavior escalated over several months, becoming increasingly alarming. In January, Thakur discovered an Apple AirTag hidden on her car, indicating Rohit had been tracking her movements.
Further incidents included Rohit deflating Thakur’s tires and then following her to work, offering assistance. In another disturbing event, he obtained a copy of her apartment key and entered her home while she was asleep, later claiming it was a welfare check after she hadn’t responded to his messages.
Restraining Order and Breach
The escalating pattern of harassment prompted Thakur to obtain a restraining order against Rohit. Despite this, he breached the order in July by leaving random grocery items at her front door.
Immigration Status and Background
Information released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicated that Rohit had illegally entered the United States from India in 2023, arriving via Arizona. He was reportedly arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents in August 2023 but was subsequently released into the country.
Sources suggested that Rohit had passed background checks through Checkr to work for DoorDash, utilizing a Social Security number. However, he had not made deliveries for over six weeks prior to the murder and was not active on the platform on the day of the attack.
Family’s Grief and Outcry
Shalini Thakur’s mother, Kumari Thakur, expressed profound grief, stating she was alone in the world after her husband’s death two years prior, as Shalini was her only child. She recounted speaking with her daughter less than an hour before the shooting, with plans to connect again shortly after. The devastating news meant her daughter would never call again.
Kumari Thakur voiced her anguish and frustration, believing that police had not adequately protected her daughter despite the restraining orders filed. Friends and family remembered Shalini as a “caring, loving, selfless, and generous young woman” who deeply impacted those who knew her.
Official Statements and Cooperation
A DHS spokesperson commented on the tragedy, attributing it to immigration policies and stating that the incident would have been avoided if the individual had not been released into the country. The spokesperson criticized policies that they claim endanger American lives and hinder cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
A DoorDash spokesperson offered condolences to Thakur’s family and stated the company is fully cooperating with the ongoing police investigation. They emphasized their zero-tolerance policy for violence and harassment and encouraged users to report any safety concerns through the app or to local law enforcement.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into Shalini Thakur’s death is continuing. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone with information to contact them at 916-874-5115.
The incident highlights the complexities of stalking cases, the challenges faced by victims seeking protection, and ongoing debates surrounding immigration enforcement and public safety.
