📅 Date: September 14, 2026
📰 Source: CNN
📌 Topic: California Crime / Stalking / Fatal Shooting
A 38-year-old California woman, Shalini Thakur, was fatally shot in Sacramento last week by a man authorities say had stalked and harassed her for months. The case has raised renewed questions about whether more could have been done to protect her despite her efforts to seek legal protection.
Authorities said the shooting happened shortly before 3 p.m. on September 8 near a Panera Bread restaurant in Sacramento. Investigators allege that 22-year-old Rohit Rohit confronted Thakur, chased her as she tried to escape and shot her multiple times. He later died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after deputies located his vehicle on Highway 50.
Investigators say the alleged stalking had escalated for months. Thakur reportedly discovered an Apple AirTag hidden under the hood of her car, and authorities say Rohit also deflated her tires and followed her to work. In another incident, he allegedly obtained a copy of her apartment key and entered her home while she was sleeping.
Thakur obtained a civil harassment restraining order in May after reporting the alleged behavior. Authorities say Rohit later violated that order by leaving groceries at her door. Despite the legal protection, investigators say the harassment continued until the fatal shooting.
The case has also become part of a political debate over immigration. The Department of Homeland Security said Rohit was an Indian national who entered the United States through Arizona in 2023 and was later released while his immigration case was pending. California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s spokesperson rejected attempts to use the killing as an indictment of California’s sanctuary policies, saying the focus should remain on stalking, domestic violence and protecting victims.
Thakur’s family and friends gathered for her funeral Monday. Her mother, Sudesh Kumari, mourned the loss of her only child, while friends remembered Thakur as a caring, energetic and generous woman. The investigation into the shooting and the months of alleged stalking remains ongoing.
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📸 Photo note: The images above are related editorial images. CNN’s syndicated version identifies a photo of Shalini Thakur as coming from her obituary page, while other images are from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office/family sources. Please verify the original photo credit and licensing before publication.
📅 Date: September 14, 2026
📰 Source: CNN
📌 Topic: California Crime / Stalking / Fatal Shooting
