Sacramento: Shalini Thakur, a 38-year-old woman, was shot and killed outside a Panera restaurant in Sacramento, California, in a case that has raised serious concerns about stalking and the protection available to victims.
According to reports, Shalini was being dropped off at work at a shopping plaza near Howe Avenue and Northrop Avenue when 22-year-old Rohit Rohit allegedly approached her. Authorities said she tried to escape, but the attacker shot her multiple times before firing another shot at close range.
Rohit later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a standoff with police, according to reports.
The Sacramento County coroner identified Shalini as the victim. Her family said she had repeatedly sought help from authorities and had a restraining order against Rohit. The order reportedly documented months of alleged stalking, harassment and threats.
According to court documents cited by local media, the alleged stalking began in September 2025. Rohit reportedly sent unwanted gifts, allegedly tampered with Shalini's vehicle by removing air from its tyres and placed a tracking device on it. He was also accused of trying to pressure her into marriage and restricting her interactions with other people.
Shalini had reportedly told authorities that Rohit threatened to shoot himself or people she met. Her mother, Sudesh Kumari, has questioned whether more could have been done to protect her daughter.
The family has remembered Shalini as a caring, generous and courageous person. Her mother said Shalini had repeatedly contacted police over her concerns but felt that her pleas had not received enough attention.
Shalini reportedly knew Rohit through DoorDash pickups at her workplace. DoorDash confirmed that Rohit was a Dasher and said the company has zero tolerance for violence and harassment. The company also said it was cooperating with law enforcement and had contacted the local sheriff's office.
Following the tragedy, Shalini's family is also trying to find new homes for her two dogs.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the family. The fundraiser describes Shalini as a loving and selfless woman who regularly supported others and left a lasting impact on those around her.
The case has renewed attention on the dangers faced by stalking victims and the importance of taking threats and restraining-order violations seriously. For Shalini's family, the tragedy has left behind grief as well as difficult questions about whether earlier intervention could have prevented the killing.
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