Sacramento woman identified after killing tied to months of stalking, restraining order

A Sacramento woman shot and killed outside an Arden-Arcade shopping center Tuesday had been stalked and harassed for months by the man suspected of killing her, sheriff's officials said.

Now, her mother is mourning the loss of her only child and questioning whether more could have been done to protect her daughter.

The victim was identified Thursday as Shalini Thakur, 38, of Sacramento, according to the Sacramento County Coroner's Office.

Family described Thakur in an online fundraiser for her funeral as caring, loving and selfless.

Her mother, Sudesh Kumari, had traveled from India to Sacramento to spend several months with her daughter. Instead, she is now making funeral arrangements.

Kumari visited the shopping center Thursday night for the first time since her daughter's death and stood near a growing memorial of flowers and candles.

She said Thakur was a loving, hardworking woman who cared deeply for her mother and wanted her to live with her in Sacramento.

Authorities identified the suspected shooter as 22-year-old Rohit Rohit, who was later found dead on Highway 50 from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Deputies were called just before 3 p.m. Tuesday to a shopping center near Panera on Howe Avenue after several witnesses reported a shooting.

Investigators said Rohit arrived at the shopping center shortly before Thakur was dropped off near her vehicle, which was already parked there.

Rohit approached Thakur and began confronting her, according to the sheriff's office. When she tried to run away, detectives said he chased her and shot her multiple times before approaching her as she lay on the ground and shooting her again at close range.

Thakur died at the scene.

Detectives said Rohit had been stalking and harassing Thakur since at least January, when she discovered an Apple AirTag hidden under the hood of her vehicle.

In a request for a civil harassment restraining order filed in Sacramento Superior Court and obtained by CBS News Sacramento, Thakur wrote, "The stalking behavior began September 2025 and has progressively escalated in frequency and severity."

In another incident, investigators said Rohit let air out of one of Thakur's tires and followed her to work so he could offer to help. Authorities also said he obtained a copy of her apartment key and entered her home while she was sleeping.

Thakur wrote in her court filing that Rohit, "...later admitted to the tampering in attempts to coerce me into marriage or prevent me from socializing with others." 

She also wrote he threatened to shoot himself or others if she would not marry him. 

"She didn't want to pursue charges at that time... [deputies] kept in contact with their for several months, kind of imploring her, 'Hey, get a restraining order,' " said Sgt. Amar Gandhi with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office.  

Thakur eventually obtained the restraining order in late May, which was in effect through May 2027. She reported a possible violation in July after Rohit allegedly left groceries outside her home.

"These offenses are considered misdemeanors. So they are investigated. They are reported. Detectives did actually go out and try to contact him. We weren't able to locate him a couple of times they went," said Gandhi.

Despite the restraining order, Kumari said she never believed her daughter was truly safe.

In an interview with CBS News Sacramento, she said Thakur had called police many times and believes authorities failed to protect her.

"My daughter's life not protected by police. Many times... many times she called police," Kumari said.

In the court documents, Thakur wrote, "Due to the ongoing and escalating nature of his harassment and stalking, I have experienced significant emotional distress, including anxiety. His behavior continues to worsen over time." 

She said she met Rohit as he worked for DoorDash and would pick up orders from her restaurant. CBS News Sacramento confirmed Thakur worked for IHOP in the Arden area. 

After Tuesday's shooting, witnesses gave deputies a description of Rohit's vehicle. Investigators say they used the Flock license plate reader system to locate it near Highway 50 and Howe Avenue.

Regional Transit deputies attempted to stop the vehicle before it came to a stop on the freeway. After trying for some time to get the driver to come out, deputies say they found Rohit dead inside from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

The response shut down Highway 50 between Howe and Watt avenues for hours Tuesday.

For Kumari, the investigation is now overshadowed by the loss of her only child.

She returned to the shopping center Thursday night and visited the memorial that has grown where Thakur was killed.

"The police would not protect my daughter," she said.

Kumari said she believes her daughter's death could have been prevented if Thakur had received greater protection.

"I am alone in this world," she said.

Detectives are still investigating what happened immediately before Thakur was killed.