A 30-year-old Indian techie was shot dead by police in California after he allegedly attacked his roommate with a knife earlier this month, according to officials’ accounts.
However, his grieving family has accused authorities of racial bias and has demanded an impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Shot Inside Home
According to a police statement, the deceased, Mohammed Nizamuddin, a native of Mahabubnagar in Telangana, was shot inside his Santa Clara residence on September 3 after officers found him armed with a knife.
He was also discovered holding down his roommate, who had suffered multiple stab wounds.
Authorities stated that they had been dispatched following a 911 distress call reporting a stabbing inside the residence.
A quarrel between Nizamuddin and his roommate allegedly spiralled out of control, resulting in the violent incident.
Police Issue Statement
“Santa Clara Police Department officers responded, confronted the suspect, and became engaged in an Officer-Involved Shooting. The suspect was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later declared dead. The victim was also taken to a local medical facility and is undergoing treatment for their injuries,” the official statement read.
“The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, in coordination with the Santa Clara Police Department, has initiated a joint inquiry. The case remains ongoing and active. As the investigation develops, an update will be released tomorrow afternoon,” it added.
Contradicting the police account, Nizamuddin’s family asserted that it was he who initially called the police for assistance before being shot.
Nizamuddin had obtained his Master’s degree in Computer Science from a Florida-based institution and was employed with a technology company in Santa Clara at the time of the incident.
Family Alleges Racial Harassment
His family described him as a reserved, religious man who had previously complained publicly about racial harassment, wage exploitation, and unjust termination from his workplace.
They also pointed to a LinkedIn post authored by him in which he wrote: “I have been a victim of racial hatred, racial discrimination, racial harassment, torture, wage-fraud, wrongful termination, and obstruction of justice.”
In the same post, he added: “Enough is enough, white supremacy and the racist white American mindset must end.”
He also elaborated on allegations of discriminatory treatment, food poisoning, eviction threats, and what he described as continuous monitoring and harassment by an alleged detective.
Mortal Remains Still In US
The family has urged authorities to conduct a comprehensive probe into both the incident and the claims of racial victimisation, while also requesting assistance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to facilitate the transportation of his mortal remains.
The body is currently kept in a Santa Clara hospital pending necessary formalities.
Amjed Ullah Khan, spokesperson of the Majlis Bachao Tehreek, who met with Nizamuddin’s father, Mohammed Hasnuddin, stated that he has formally written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
In his communication, he requested the intervention of the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., as well as the Consulate General in San Francisco, to provide a comprehensive report on the episode and extend help in completing repatriation and associated formalities.
(With inputs from IBNS)
