Woman shot dead by obsessed driver

So Weber • September 17, 2026 • 3 min read

A woman was shot dead by an obsessed DoorDash driver in California, outside a Panera Bread.

Woman shot dead by obsessed driver - woman shot — Shalini Thakur, 38, of Sacramento, was approached at her car by the culprit.

A California woman was chased through the parking lot of a Panera Bread and shot dead in broad daylight, with officials saying her killer was a DoorDash delivery driver who was obsessed with her. The victim, Shalini Thakur, 38, of Sacramento, was approached at her car by the culprit, Rohit Rohit, 22, according to Homeland Security officials.

Rohit was in the United States illegally when he murdered Thakur outside a Panera Bread on Howe Avenue last Tuesday, then took his own life. Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper described the killing as “unbelievable” in an interview with local NBC affiliate KCRA.

Investigation Details

According to the DHS release, Rohit chased Thakur down, pulled out a gun, and shot her multiple times. After she had fallen to the ground, he shot her again in the head at close range before fleeing in his vehicle. Police caught up with Rohit not long after the shooting and found him dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his car.

Rohit had been stalking and harassing Thakur for months, including sitting outside her home for hours and secretly tracking her vehicle, according to her family and officials. Thakur had reported the incidents to authorities in March but declined to pursue criminal charges or seek a restraining order, according to police.

Stalking and Harassment

The stalking began after Rohit met Thakur through food deliveries at her work. Thakur eventually sought a civil harassment restraining order months later, telling the court that Rohit had threatened to shoot himself or anyone she met after admitting to stalking her since September 2025.

A proof of service filing shows that Rohit was personally served with temporary restraining-order documents on May 19. On July 29, Thakur reported to police that Rohit had violated the restraining order by leaving random grocery items outside her front door.

Family’s Reaction

Thakur’s mother, Sudesh Kumari, believes the justice system failed to protect her daughter. Kumari stated that her daughter called her frequently, and she had also contacted the police and obtained restraining orders. Kumari said “He came here.” She added, “Police not protect my daughter.”

Hours before her death, Thakur spoke with her mother by phone. It would be their last conversation, according to Kumari, who spoke to KCRA about her daughter’s last day alive. Nearly an hour before the shooting, Thakur told Kumari she would call her back in 15 minutes. But she never did.

DoorDash Response

The sheriff’s office told reporters that deputies and detectives remained in contact with Thakur for months and repeatedly encouraged her to seek a restraining order due to safety concerns. A DoorDash spokesperson told The Sacramento Bee that it was cooperating with the police investigation. “This is an unimaginable tragedy, and our hearts are with Ms. Thakur’s family and loved ones as they grieve this immense loss,” a DoorDash spokesperson said. “DoorDash has absolutely zero tolerance for violence or harassment of any kind, and we encourage anyone experiencing unwanted attention to report it directly in the DoorDash app, and to contact local law enforcement if they feel unsafe. We are fully cooperating with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office as they investigate.”