Friend Blames Lawmakers for Woman's Murder by Alleged Illegal Immigrant
A Sacramento restaurant manager was allegedly murdered by a man who had entered the U.S. illegally and was released by authorities, echoing other recent cases.
Shalini Thakur, a 38-year-old restaurant manager in Sacramento, California, was fatally shot on September 8 by Rohit Rohit, a 22-year-old Indian national who had allegedly stalked and harassed her for nearly a year. Rohit had entered the U.S. illegally in August 2023 and was arrested by Border Patrol agents but subsequently released, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Thakur's friend, Daljit Khangura, expressed grief and anger, stating that lawmakers who allowed such individuals into the country have "blood on their hands."
Khangura, who managed a pizza restaurant where Thakur previously worked, described her as having a strong work ethic. Their friendship deepened when she took a management position at IHOP, where she was later killed. Khangura recalled Thakur mentioning Rohit's escalating obsession, which included placing an Apple AirTag on her car, slashing her tires, and entering her home. Despite Thakur obtaining a restraining order against Rohit in May, and reporting a violation in July, law enforcement was reportedly unable to contact him.
On the day of her murder, Rohit confronted Thakur as she was being dropped off at work. When she attempted to flee, he shot her multiple times, including at close range after she fell. Rohit then died by suicide during a standoff with police. Khangura criticized Sacramento's sanctuary city status and urged for laws to prevent similar tragedies.
Thakur's death has drawn parallels to other recent cases involving women allegedly murdered by individuals who entered the U.S. illegally. These include the February 2024 murder of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student in Athens, Georgia, allegedly by José Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan national. In Houston, Texas, 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was reportedly raped and strangled by two Venezuelan immigrants, Johan José Martínez-Rangel and Franklin José Peña Ramos.
Rachel Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five, was allegedly raped and murdered in August 2023 by Victor Martinez-Hernandez, an immigrant from El Salvador, while hiking in Maryland. Martinez-Hernandez had a history of arrests and deportations before entering the U.S. illegally. He was later sentenced to life without parole for Morin's murder.
Michael Morin, Rachel's brother, expressed that the focus should be on preventing future tragedies rather than political arguments. He emphasized the need for improved communication and action among agencies when individuals present warning signs or have prior encounters with law enforcement. "My concern is what happens when there are repeated encounters, warning signs or evidence that somebody may present a danger," he stated.
Following Riley's death, the Laken Riley Act was signed into law, mandating federal detention for illegal immigrants arrested for certain crimes, including theft and assault. However, for Thakur's family and friends, the current legal protections and their enforcement proved insufficient.