A California woman was fatally shot outside a Panera Bread in Sacramento County on Tuesday by an illegal immigrant who had allegedly stalked her for months despite being under a restraining order, the Department of Homeland Security said.
Shalini Thakur, 38, was near her vehicle when Rohit Rohit, an illegal immigrant from India, confronted her, DHS said. When Thakur attempted to escape, Rohit allegedly chased her and shot her in the head before fleeing the scene in a car.
Police officers responding to the shooting caught up with Rohit, authorities said, but he then died by suicide with a gun.
Rohit Rohit, an illegal immigrant from India, allegedly stalked a California woman for months before fatally shooting her in a parking lot this week and taking his own life. DHS said Rohit entered the United States illegally through Arizona and was released by the Biden administration. (Department of Homeland Security; Getty Images)
“This tragedy would have been completely avoided if it weren’t for the Biden administration RELEASING this killer into our country,” a DHS spokesperson said.
“Sanctuary politicians must put an end to reckless policies that play Russian roulette with American lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and her family.”
Rohit had allegedly stalked Thakur for months before she obtained a restraining order. Thakur knew him as a DoorDash delivery driver who would park outside her home for hours and speak with her every day, ABC 10 reported.
FILE – Officials alleged Rohit was a DoorDash delivery driver. (CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
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The alleged stalking dated back to at least January, when Thakur discovered an Apple AirTag underneath the hood of her car.
According to the report, Rohit at one point attempted to pressure Thakur into marrying him and sought to prevent her from socializing with other people. He also allegedly threatened to shoot himself or anyone she met.
Rohit later deflated her car tires and followed her to work so he could pretend to offer her help, authorities said. At one point, Rohit allegedly obtained a copy of Thakur’s apartment key so he could enter her home while she slept.
FILE – DHS said Rohit illegally entered the United States through Arizona in August 2023 and was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol before later being released. (Gregory Bull/Associated Press)
Even after she got a restraining order against Rohit in May, he continued to stalk her as recently as July.
“She could have been saved. She told police so many times,” Thakur’s mother, Sudesh Kumari, told the news outlet. “She called them, but nobody did anything.”
Rohit illegally entered the United States through Arizona in August 2023 and was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol. He was released as part of the Biden administration’s policy to let migrants into the U.S. after they were given a court date to appear before a judge.
DoorDash did not immediately respond to News Media’s request for comment.
This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).