A 30-year-old software engineer from Telangana was fatally shot by police in Santa Clara, California, earlier this month after allegedly stabbing his roommate during a violent altercation. The family of the deceased, Mohammed Nizamuddin, has called for a full investigation, alleging racial discrimination and misconduct by authorities.
According to a statement from the Santa Clara Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call about a stabbing on September 3 and found Nizamuddin inside his residence, reportedly armed with a knife and pinning down his injured roommate. Police say the situation escalated, leading to an “officer-involved shooting.” Nizamuddin was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, while the roommate remains under medical care.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and local police are conducting a joint investigation into the shooting. Authorities have promised further updates as the case progresses.
Nizamuddin’s family disputes the official account, claiming he was the one who called police for help and was instead met with lethal force. They also point to Nizamuddin’s public statements on LinkedIn alleging he was a victim of racial harassment, wage fraud, wrongful termination, and ongoing intimidation. In one post, he wrote: “Enough is enough, white supremacy/racist white American mentality has to end.”
Majlis Bachao Tehreek leader Amjed Ullah Khan, who met with Nizamuddin’s father, has urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to intervene and seek a detailed report from the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Consulate in San Francisco. The family has also requested assistance in repatriating his remains.
At the time of reporting, India’s Ministry of External Affairs had not yet issued an official response.