Indian Techie Shot Dead by US Police; Family Alleges Racial Bias, Seeks Probe

A 30-year-old Indian software engineer, Mohammed Nizamuddin from Mahabubnagar, Telangana, was fatally shot by police in Santa Clara, California, following an alleged stabbing incident involving his roommate earlier this month. The incident has sparked serious concerns from his family, who have accused authorities of racial discrimination and are demanding a full investigation.

According to a statement released by the Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD), officers responded to a 911 call on September 3, reporting a violent altercation inside a residence. Upon arrival, police found Nizamuddin holding a knife and allegedly pinning down his injured roommate. The situation escalated quickly, resulting in what officials described as an "Officer Involved Shooting." Nizamuddin was taken to a hospital but was declared dead. His roommate is currently being treated for multiple injuries.

Authorities confirmed that the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office and SCPD are jointly conducting an investigation, which remains active. Officials have indicated that further details would be shared as the investigation progresses.

However, Nizamuddin’s family claims he was the one who initially called the police seeking help. They describe him as a calm, religious individual who had recently been dealing with workplace issues and racial harassment. He held a Master’s degree in Computer Science from a university in Florida and was employed at a tech firm in Santa Clara.

The family highlighted a LinkedIn post made by Nizamuddin in which he openly alleged racial discrimination, harassment, wage fraud, and wrongful termination. In the post, he wrote:
"I have been a victim of racial hatred, racial discrimination, racial harassment, torture, wage-fraud, wrongful termination and obstruction of Justice… Enough is enough, white supremacy/racist white American mentality has to end."

The post also accused certain individuals of food poisoning, illegal eviction, and persistent surveillance, allegedly by a detective. These claims have intensified demands for a deeper investigation into the events surrounding his death.

Majlis Bachao Tehreek spokesperson Amjed Ullah Khan, who met Nizamuddin’s father, has appealed to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to intervene. He urged the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Consulate in San Francisco to obtain a comprehensive report on the case and assist the family with repatriating the body, which is currently at a hospital in Santa Clara pending legal formalities.

As of now, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has not issued an official response.a