DHS Says 22-Year-Old Panera Shooting Suspect Entered U.S. Illegally After 2023 Border Release
Updated
Updated · KCRA Sacramento · Sep 11
DHS Says 22-Year-Old Panera Shooting Suspect Entered U.S. Illegally After 2023 Border Release
3 articles · Updated · KCRA Sacramento · Sep 11
Summary
DHS said Friday that 22-year-old Rohit Rohit, accused of fatally shooting 38-year-old Shalini Thakur outside a Sacramento Panera Bread, entered the U.S. through Arizona in 2023 and was released after a Border Patrol arrest.
Federal court records show his immigration case was still pending, while local investigators said he had no known local criminal history despite months of stalking and harassment.
January marked the start of documented stalking, including an Apple AirTag found under Thakur’s car, an alleged break-in to her apartment, and a July 29 report that he left items at her door in violation of a restraining order.
Minutes after the shooting, deputies tracked Rohit on Highway 50 with witness information and the FLOCK camera system; he killed himself during a police standoff that snarled traffic for hours.
The disclosure quickly turned political: DHS blamed Biden-era release policies and California sanctuary rules, while Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said the case points instead to failures in stopping stalking and protecting victims.