Techie from Telangana Shot Dead by US Police in California, Family Alleges Racial Discrimination

A 30-year-old Indian tech professional was fatally shot by police in Santa Clara, California, following an alleged stabbing incident involving his roommate.

The deceased was identified as Mohammed Nizamuddin from Mahabubnagar in Telangana.

Following the incident, Nizamuddin’s family accused the police of racial discrimination and demanded a thorough investigation.

According to a statement from the Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD), officers responded to a 911 call reporting a stabbing at a residence.

Upon arrival, they stated to have found Nizamuddin holding a knife and pinning down his roommate, who had sustained multiple injuries.

The police stated that an altercation between Nizamuddin and his roommate had escalated, leading to the attack.
“SCPD officers arrived, encountered the suspect, and were involved in an Officer-Involved Shooting. The suspect was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. The victim was also taken to a hospital for treatment,” the SCPD statement read.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and SCPD are jointly investigating the incident, with an update expected soon.

However, Nizamuddin’s family has contested the police narrative, claiming that it was Nizamuddin who had called the police for assistance before being shot. They described him as a quiet and religious individual who had completed a Master’s in Computer Science in Florida and was employed at a tech firm in Santa Clara. The family also highlighted his public complaints of racial harassment, wage fraud, and wrongful termination.

In a LinkedIn post, Nizamuddin had written, “I have been a victim of racial hatred, racial discrimination, racial harassment, torture, wage fraud, wrongful termination, and obstruction of justice.”

He further alleged instances of food poisoning, eviction, and continuous surveillance and intimidation by a detective, stating, “Enough is enough, white supremacy/racist white American mentality has to end.”
Nizamuddin’s family has called for a comprehensive probe into these allegations and the circumstances surrounding his death.

They have also sought assistance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to facilitate the repatriation of his mortal remains, which are currently at a Santa Clara hospital pending formalities.

Amjed Ullah Khan, spokesperson for Majlis Bachao Tehreek, met Nizamuddin’s father, Mohammed Hasnuddin, and wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Khan urged the minister to instruct the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Consulate General in San Francisco to provide a detailed report on the incident and assist with repatriation formalities.

The Ministry of External Affairs has yet to respond to the family’s request at the time of this report.