A 30-year-old Indian tech professional was fatally shot by police in California earlier this month after allegedly stabbing his roommate, according to official reports. However, the victim’s family has raised serious concerns, alleging racial discrimination and calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The incident occurred on September 3 in Santa Clara, where Mohammed Nizamuddin, originally from Mahabubnagar in Telangana, India, was found by police inside his residence armed with a knife. Authorities say he was pinning down his injured roommate when officers arrived in response to a 911 call reporting a stabbing.
In an official statement, the Santa Clara Police Department said, “SCPD officers arrived, encountered the suspect, and were involved in an Officer Involved Shooting. The suspect was transported to a local hospital where they were later pronounced deceased. The victim was transported to a local hospital and is being treated for their injuries.”
The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and the police department are conducting a joint investigation, which remains active. Officials have said further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
However, Nizamuddin’s family disputes the police account, claiming he was the one who called 911 seeking help. They describe him as a quiet, religious individual who had completed a Master’s in Computer Science from a Florida college and was working at a tech firm in Santa Clara. The family also noted that Nizamuddin had previously spoken out about facing racial harassment, wage theft, and wrongful termination at his workplace.
Nizamuddin’s family also highlighted a LinkedIn post he had written prior to the incident, in which he stated:“I have been a victim of racial hatred, racial discrimination, racial harassment, torture, wage fraud, wrongful termination, and obstruction of justice.” He further wrote, “Enough is enough, white supremacy and the racist white American mentality have to end.”
In the same post, Nizamuddin detailed a series of serious allegations, including being subjected to racial discrimination, having his food poisoned, being forcibly evicted, and enduring what he described as ongoing surveillance and intimidation by a supposed detective.
In light of these claims, his family has called for a comprehensive investigation into the events that led to his death, as well as the allegations he made while he was alive. They have also reached out to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for assistance in repatriating his mortal remains, which are currently at a hospital in Santa Clara pending official procedures.
Amjed Ullah Khan, spokesperson for the Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT), who met with Nizamuddin’s father, Mohammed Hasnuddin, said he has written to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. In the letter, Khan requested that the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Consulate General in San Francisco be directed to provide a detailed report on the incident and extend support in the repatriation process and related formalities.
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