A 30-year-old Indian tech professional, Mohammed Nizamuddin from Telangana, was fatally shot by police in Santa Clara, California, after allegedly attacking his roommate with a knife on September 3.
While officers say the shooting was necessary to prevent further harm, Nizamuddin’s family disputes the police narrative, alleging racial discrimination and urging Indian authorities to pursue a full investigation. Both US and Indian agencies are now probing the circumstances surrounding his tragic death.
Police Account: ‘Officer-Involved Shooting’ After Stabbing
According to the Santa Clara Police Department, the incident began with a 911 call reporting a stabbing at a residential property. Upon arrival, officers saw Nizamuddin allegedly pinning his wounded roommate to the floor while armed with a knife. Police Chief Cory Morgan explained that officers initially tried to de-escalate with verbal commands, but Nizamuddin reportedly ignored their orders and made a striking motion with a knife towards his roommate.
Fearing imminent danger, one officer fired four shots. Two knives were later recovered at the scene, and the injured roommate remains hospitalised but is recovering. Police insist their actions “clearly saved at least one life,” and both the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and SCPD have launched investigations, promising further updates as facts emerge.
Family’s Allegations: Racial Harassment and Delayed Information
Nizamuddin’s family, deeply shaken by both the event and the delay in notification, challenges the official account. They insist he had called the police for help himself, and claim he was a victim of persistent racial harassment, workplace intimidation, wage fraud, and wrongful termination over the past months.
The family points to Nizamuddin’s own public complaints on LinkedIn, in which he described suffering “racial hatred, racial discrimination, torture, wage-fraud, wrongful termination and obstruction of justice.” His father, Mohammed Hasnuddin, has formally appealed to India’s External Affairs Ministry for assistance in bringing his son’s remains home. The family says they were only informed of his death almost two weeks later by acquaintances in California, intensifying their distress and suspicions.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Mohammed Nizamuddin’s death has ignited debate on policing practices, migrant safety, and the rights of foreign nationals in the United States. Social worker Amjed Ullah Khan and other community activists are pressing Indian authorities for a thorough, impartial investigation into the case, and for prompt repatriation of Nizamuddin’s mortal remains.
The Logical Indian believes every human life deserves dignity, fair process, and respect in times of crisis, regardless of nationality or circumstance. All communities must work towards greater empathy, dialogue, and safeguarding the rights of vulnerable individuals.
