SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A Sacramento woman who was fatally shot outside an Arden-Arcade shopping center had previously reported months of stalking, harassment and threats involving the man investigators say killed her.
The woman, identified as 38-year-old Shalini Thakur, was shot Tuesday afternoon near a shopping center along Howe Avenue. The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office identified her Thursday.
Investigators said 22-year-old Rohit Rohit approached Thakur shortly after she was dropped off near her vehicle. When she attempted to get away, authorities said he followed her and opened fire.
Thakur died at the scene.
The shooting happened shortly before 3 p.m. as witnesses reported gunfire near the shopping center. Detectives later determined that Rohit had arrived in the area before Thakur and was waiting near the location where her vehicle was parked.
After the shooting, witnesses provided deputies with information about the suspect’s vehicle. Investigators used a network of license plate-reading cameras to locate the vehicle near Highway 50 and Howe Avenue.
Regional Transit deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, which eventually stopped on Highway 50. Deputies later found Rohit dead inside. Investigators said he appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The incident caused a major closure on Highway 50 between Howe and Watt avenues while deputies investigated.
Thakur had reported months of stalking
Court records obtained after the shooting show that Thakur had previously sought legal protection from Rohit.
In a civil harassment restraining-order filing, Thakur described a pattern of behavior that she said began around September 2025 and became increasingly serious over time.
Among the incidents described in the filing was an Apple AirTag that Thakur discovered hidden under the hood of her vehicle. Investigators also said Rohit had deflated one of her tires and later followed her to work, where he offered to help.
Authorities said Rohit also obtained a copy of Thakur’s apartment key and entered her home while she was sleeping.
Thakur told the court that she believed some of the behavior was intended to pressure her into marrying Rohit or prevent her from spending time with other people. She also reported threats involving violence toward himself or others.
The two had reportedly met through Thakur’s workplace, where Rohit had picked up DoorDash orders.
Restraining order was in effect
Thakur eventually obtained a restraining order in May. The order was served on Rohit on May 19 and was scheduled to remain in effect through May 2027.
Authorities said Thakur later reported a possible violation in July after groceries were left outside her home.
Sheriff’s officials said deputies had previously encouraged Thakur to seek a restraining order and attempted to locate Rohit during their investigation into the reported stalking incidents.
Officials said the earlier reported violations were generally treated as misdemeanor offenses, and detectives made efforts to contact Rohit but were unable to locate him on some occasions.
The sheriff’s office is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including what happened immediately before Thakur was confronted.
Family remembers Thakur
Thakur’s family described her as caring, loving and selfless in an online fundraiser created to help with funeral expenses.
The investigation remains active following the deaths of both Thakur and Rohit.
Authorities have not indicated that anyone else was injured in the shooting.
