The killing of 38-year-old Indian-origin woman Shalini Thakur in Sacramento, California, has drawn attention to a disturbing pattern of alleged stalking that investigators say continued for months before ending in a fatal shooting.

Thakur was shot outside a Panera Bread restaurant in the Arden-Arcade area of Sacramento on September 8. Authorities identified the suspected shooter as 22-year-old Rohit Rohit, who investigators said had been stalking and harassing Thakur for months. He later died from what authorities described as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound during a police standoff on Highway 50.

According to investigators and a civil harassment restraining-order filing, the alleged stalking began around September 2025 and became increasingly serious. Thakur reportedly knew Rohit through his work as a DoorDash delivery driver, who would pick up orders from the restaurant where she worked.

One of the most alarming discoveries came in January, when Thakur found an Apple AirTag hidden beneath the hood of her vehicle. Investigators believe the device was being used to monitor her movements. Authorities also said Rohit allegedly deflated one of her car’s tires and then followed her to work, apparently presenting himself as someone who could help her.

The incidents did not stop there.

Investigators said Rohit allegedly obtained a copy of Thakur’s apartment key and entered her home while she was sleeping. When questioned about the incident, he reportedly claimed he had entered because he was worried that something might have happened to her after she did not respond to him.

Thakur’s court filing described an increasingly controlling pattern. She alleged that Rohit tried to prevent her from socializing with other people and attempted to pressure her into marriage. The filing also described threats involving both Thakur and Rohit’s own life.

By March, Thakur had reported the alleged behavior to authorities. According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, she initially did not want to pursue criminal charges or obtain a restraining order. Deputies nevertheless remained in contact with her and later encouraged her to seek legal protection.

In May, Thakur obtained a civil harassment restraining order against Rohit. The order was reportedly served on May 19 and was scheduled to remain in effect until May 2027.

But the court order did not end the alleged harassment.

On July 29, Thakur reported that Rohit had apparently violated the order by leaving grocery items outside her home. Sheriff’s officials said deputies attempted to locate him but were unsuccessful on multiple occasions.

The final confrontation came on September 8.

Authorities said Rohit arrived at the shopping center before Thakur was dropped off near her parked vehicle. Investigators said he approached and confronted her. When she attempted to escape, he allegedly chased her and opened fire.

Thakur was killed at the scene.

Witnesses helped investigators identify the suspect’s vehicle. Deputies later located Rohit on eastbound Highway 50 near Watt Avenue using a license-plate camera system. A standoff followed, and authorities eventually found him dead inside his vehicle from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

For Thakur’s family, the tragedy has raised painful questions about whether the escalating warning signs could have been addressed more effectively.

Her mother, Sudesh Kumari, told local media that she believed authorities had failed to protect her daughter.

The case has consequently become not only a homicide investigation but also a wider discussion about stalking, restraining orders and the difficulty victims can face when harassment progressively escalates into violence.