Trigger Happy: Indian Software Engineer Shot Dead by Santa Clara Police; Family Alleges Racial Bias
- The Santa Clara Police Department described the incident as an officer-involved shooting (OIS) justified by the immediate threat posed by Mohammed Nizamuddin armed with a knife.
Mohammed Nizamuddin, a software engineer from Telangana, India, was fatally shot on Sept. 3 after an altercation inside his home led officers from the Santa Clara Police Department to open fire, according to police statements and family accounts.
His father, Mohammed Hasnuddin, said the family did not learn about the incident until Thursday, nearly two weeks after the shooting occurred.
According to the Santa Clara police, they received a call alerting them about the stabbing incident on September 3 at 6:18 am. “Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) officers responded to the 1800 Block of Eisenhower Drive in Santa Clara for the report of a stabbing in a residence,” police said.
In a statement, police said Mohammed Nizamuddin, from Mahabubnagar in Telangana, was shot after he was found inside his residence in Santa Clara with a knife on September 3, pinning down his roommate, who had sustained several injuries in a scuffle.
Recent reporting by KTVU FOX 2 revealed additional context about the circumstances leading to the incident. The SCPD said that a preliminary investigation revealed the relationship between Nizamuddin and his roommates “had deteriorated in recent months.” The property landlord initiated eviction proceedings against Nizamuddin, and a roommate testified in support of the eviction.
His family has raised concerns of racial discrimination and sought assistance from India’s Ministry of External Affairs. The family’s concerns appear connected to social media posts allegedly made by Nizamuddin before his death.
The Santa Clara Police Department described the incident as an officer-involved shooting (OIS) justified by the immediate threat posed by Nizamuddin armed with a knife, according to Cal Coast Times reporting.
Various news outlets have reported conflicting ages for Nizamuddin. While some sources describe him as a 30-year-old man from Telangana, others identify him as a 32-year-old software professional from Telangana. Additional reports state he was 29 years old, a resident of Mahbubnagar District in Telangana State, who went to pursue Masters in the USA and was living in Santa Clara in California.
Family Allegations and LinkedIn Posts
His family has raised concerns of racial discrimination and sought assistance from India’s Ministry of External Affairs. The family’s concerns appear connected to social media posts allegedly made by Nizamuddin before his death.
In his last LinkedIn post, he claimed racial abuse, wrongful termination by the employer, and threats to his safety, according to Jaano Junction. A LinkedIn post by him reportedly stated: “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 incident has left his family in Mahabubnagar district devastated, with relatives now appealing to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to help bring back his mortal remains.
The family is seeking a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting and has raised questions about whether racial bias played a role in the incident.
Police Response
The Santa Clara Police Department has defended the shooting as necessary to prevent further harm. According to reports in The Week, police have justified the fatal shooting, stating “We saved at least one life” in reference to the injured roommate.
The incident remains under investigation by the Santa Clara Police Department. The case highlights ongoing tensions between communities of color and law enforcement, particularly regarding use of force incidents involving individuals experiencing mental health crises or domestic disputes.
This is a developing story. The family has requested privacy during this difficult time while seeking official assistance in repatriating Nizamuddin’s remains to India.
This story was aggregated by AI from several news reports and edited by American Kahani’s News Desk.
