AirTag under car, copied key, restraining order: How stalker hunted Indian-origin woman before California murder

An AirTag hidden under her car, a copied house key, and repeated restraining-order violations reveal how a stalker relentlessly tracked Indian-origin woman Shalini Thakur before shooting her dead in California.

A 38-year-old Indian-origin woman was chased and shot dead outside a Sacramento restaurant after months of alleged stalking that included an AirTag hidden under her car, a copied house key and repeated restraining-order violations. Police said Shalini Thakur tried to flee before 22-year-old Rohit opened fire in public, then later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a highway standoff.

Also Read: Air India captain found dead in locked Delhi hotel room hours before scheduled flight

The Incident: Shalini Thakur chased and shot outside Sacramento restaurant

The shooting took place outside a Panera Bread outlet in the Arden-Arcade area on Tuesday afternoon. According to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, Thakur was being dropped off for work at a shopping plaza near Howe Avenue and Northrop Avenue when Rohit allegedly approached her.

Authorities said Thakur tried to run away, but Rohit chased her and fired several shots in front of witnesses. Police said another shot was fired at close range after she fell.

Deputies responding to reports of gunfire at around 3 pm found Thakur unresponsive outside the restaurant in the 800 block of Howe Avenue. Medical workers pronounced her dead at the scene.

Her death came after months of complaints about alleged stalking and harassment, according to court documents and accounts provided by police to local broadcaster KCRA 3.

The Escalation: AirTag, copied key and a middle-of-the-night intrusion

The case had allegedly started as unwanted attention before becoming increasingly intrusive. Thakur knew Rohit through DoorDash pickups from her workplace, where she worked as a waitress, according to local reports.

Her mother, Sudesh Kumari, said Rohit wanted to marry Thakur but she rejected him because of their age difference.

Court records described a series of incidents that Thakur said left her frightened. They included:

• An Apple AirTag allegedly placed beneath her vehicle to track where she went.
• Her car tyres being tampered with or deflated.
• Rohit allegedly waiting outside her home for hours and following her.
• A copy of her flat key allegedly being made without her permission.
• Rohit allegedly entering her home while she was asleep.

The documents also said he tried to control whom Thakur met and continued to pressure her to marry him.

"She was so scared of him," Kumari told KCRA 3.

System Limitations: Restraining order issued but alleged contact continued

Thakur eventually obtained a civil harassment restraining order. Court records showed Rohit was personally served with temporary restraining-order papers on May 19 and was told to stay away from Thakur, her home and her workplace.

But the alleged contact did not stop.

On July 29, Thakur contacted the Sheriff's Office after groceries were left at her home. She believed Rohit had ordered or delivered them despite the restraining order.

Lt Amar Gandhi said deputies took a report and detectives later concluded they had probable cause to arrest Rohit for violating the order. Officers tried at least twice to find him at his home and other locations he was known to visit but were unable to locate him.

Gandhi said Rohit would have been arrested if officers had found him. He also said an arrest would not necessarily have meant Rohit remained in custody or guaranteed that the later shooting could have been prevented.

The Sheriff's Office said detectives had remained in contact with Thakur for months and had encouraged her to seek legal protection. Gandhi described the justice system as an "imperfect justice system".

The Highway Standoff: Police drone sent into suspect's car

After the shooting, witnesses gave investigators a description of Rohit's vehicle. Police entered the details into an automated licence plate reader system and soon established its last known location.

Deputies found the car on eastbound Highway 50. Gandhi said Rohit braked hard and stopped when officers attempted to pull him over.

The California Highway Patrol closed the eastbound lanes as sheriff's vehicles surrounded the car. Footage broadcast by KCRA showed an armoured tactical vehicle at the scene and deputies positioned with their weapons drawn.

Officers eventually broke the driver's side window and sent a drone inside before approaching the vehicle.

Rohit was found slumped in the driver's seat with what authorities said appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His death was later confirmed. KCRA reported that there was no indication deputies had fired their weapons.

The Human Impact: A mother's final phone call that was never returned

Behind the police records and court filings is a mother who said she had spent months worrying about her daughter's safety.

Kumari spoke to Thakur at 1.58 pm on the day of the shooting. Her daughter told her she would call back in 15 minutes.

The call never came.

Kumari later showed KCRA a series of unanswered calls and WhatsApp messages she had sent, including "Please call me" and "I am worried about you."

Her husband died two years ago, and Thakur was her only child.

"I am alone in this world," Kumari told KCRA 3.

The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office said the investigation into Thakur's killing, the previous stalking allegations and Rohit's death remains ongoing.

Also Read: 'It can take over the internet': Why Elon Musk, Sam Altman and Dario Amodei want to slow AI race

Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news and world news on Zee News.