A 38-year-old woman was fatally shot Tuesday afternoon at a shopping center in Sacramento County after investigators said she had endured months of stalking and harassment by the man suspected in her killing.
The shooting happened shortly before 3 p.m. near the Panera Bread parking lot at Howe and Northrup avenues in the Arden-Arcade area. Deputies arrived and found the woman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect was identified as 22-year-old Rohit Rohit. Investigators said he was later found dead inside his vehicle on Highway 50 from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities said Rohit and the woman had known each other for about two years and worked for different employers. Investigators are still working to establish the circumstances surrounding their relationship and what led to Tuesday’s confrontation.
Alleged stalking began months earlier
According to investigators, concerns about Rohit’s behavior date back to at least January, when the woman discovered an Apple AirTag hidden under the hood of her vehicle.
The incidents reportedly continued. Investigators said Rohit at one point let air out of one of the woman’s tires and later followed her to work, apparently creating an opportunity to offer assistance.
In another incident, authorities said Rohit obtained a copy of the woman’s apartment key and entered her home while she was sleeping. Investigators said he later told her he was concerned because she had not answered him.
The woman initially did not pursue criminal charges or seek a restraining order, according to investigators. Deputies and detectives remained in contact with her because of concerns about her safety.
In May, deputies again encouraged her to obtain a restraining order. She subsequently did so.
That order was later the subject of another reported incident. On July 29, the woman told deputies that Rohit had left grocery items outside her home, which investigators considered a possible violation of the order.
Investigators say suspect waited for her
On Tuesday, investigators said Rohit arrived at the shopping center shortly before the woman was dropped off.
Authorities believe he approached her after she arrived. When she attempted to get away, investigators said he chased her and opened fire.
The woman was shot multiple times. Investigators said Rohit then approached her after she had fallen and fired another shot at close range.
She died at the scene.
Her identity has not been publicly released.
Suspect tracked to Highway 50
After the shooting, witnesses provided deputies with information about the suspect’s vehicle.
Investigators entered the vehicle information into the Flock automated license plate reader system. Deputies were then able to locate the vehicle near Highway 50 and Watt Avenue, according to authorities.
Members of law enforcement attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver stopped abruptly, and deputies attempted to make contact with him.
They later discovered that Rohit was dead inside the vehicle from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The law enforcement response closed Highway 50 between the Howe Avenue and Watt Avenue areas for several hours while investigators processed the scene.
Detectives continue to investigate the events leading up to the shooting, including the circumstances immediately before the confrontation at the shopping center. Authorities have not released the victim’s name.
The investigation remains ongoing.
