Two fatal shootings in Sacramento’s Arden-Arcade area are prompting domestic violence survivors and grieving families to call for stronger legal protections.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Two fatal shootings in Sacramento’s Arden-Arcade area are prompting domestic violence survivors, grieving families and community members to call for changes to laws governing restraining order violations.
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, community members gathered for a walk to honor those affected by domestic violence and raise awareness about the need for change.
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The message was clear: Domestic violence isn’t just a private matter. It’s a community issue, and advocates say raising awareness is only the first step.
“A lot needs to change. I tell you one thing: got to start at the bottom up. Okay, so the community has to rise up. We need the community to not whisper about it,” Founder and CEO of nonprofit Empact Leia Schenk said.
The walk began at the Panera Bread on Howe Avenue in Arden-Arcade, where 38-year-old Shalini Thakur was shot and killed last month. Investigators say her alleged stalker, Rohit Rohit, shot her in the parking lot.
Tony Mauceri, a friend of Thakur’s, said the woman who was like a daughter to him did everything right but still became a victim.
“She got a restraining order. I went to court with her, and they don’t just hand out restraining orders like candy. It’s got to be an imminent threat of violence. He violated the restraining order a number of times,” Mauceri said.
Just weeks after Thakur’s death, another woman was killed in the same area.
Samantha Cromwell, 29, was shot and killed outside Urban Air Adventure Park in Arden-Arcade. Authorities say her estranged husband was responsible.
The walk ended at that location, where domestic violence survivors and families who have lost loved ones shared their stories and called for change.
“We are traumatized every single day by looking at her and caring for her and knowing that she never got justice,” Tonya Mack said of her sister who she said suffered a traumatic brain injury at the hands of her husband.
Many survivors and family members are calling for changes to the law, including making violations of restraining orders a felony instead of a misdemeanor.
“Ask them to change the law from violating a restraining order, from misdemeanor to a felony, so that police take it more seriously. Because this cannot go on,” Mauceri said.
Watch more from ABC10: Sacramento community gathers to remember Shalini Thakur
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