Indian-origin woman shot dead by stalker in California; mother says ‘system failed her’

On Tuesday, a 38-year-old Indian woman, Shalini Thakur, was fatally shot outside a restaurant in Sacramento, California. The assailant, a 22-year-old man named Rohit, allegedly stalked and harassed Thakur for several months prior to the incident. Witnesses reported that Rohit confronted Thakur as she was being dropped off at her workplace in the Arden Arcade area of Sacramento.

Despite Thakur attempting to flee, Rohit pursued her and opened fire, shooting her multiple times. He then allegedly fired another shot at her head, killing her instantly. Thakur's mother, Sudesh Kumari, stated that Rohit had been stalking and harassing her daughter for nearly a year, wanting to marry her despite their age difference.

Rohit had already violated a restraining order against him on July 29 by leaving random grocery items outside Thakur's front door. The incident occurred nearly an hour after Thakur last spoke to her mother.