An Indian software professional from Telangana was shot dead by police in Santa Clara, California, on September 3, triggering outrage among his family members who allege that he was a victim of racial discrimination. The deceased, identified as Mohammed Nizamuddin from Mahabubnagar district, had been living in the United States for the past few years and was employed in the technology sector before reportedly losing his job six months ago.
According to the Santa Clara Police Department, officers responded to an emergency call regarding a stabbing incident at a residential address. Upon arrival, they claimed to have found Nizamuddin pinning his roommate to the floor while armed with a knife. Police officials stated that despite repeated verbal commands to drop the weapon, Nizamuddin did not comply, posing what they described as an imminent threat to life. Officers then opened fire, discharging four rounds. Two knives were recovered from the scene, and Nizamuddin was transported to a hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. His roommate remains hospitalised with stab wounds.
The official account has been strongly contested by Nizamuddin’s family in India, who maintain that he was the one who initially sought help and had been facing serious challenges in the United States. They pointed to a post he made on LinkedIn in which he alleged racial hatred, workplace discrimination, harassment, wage fraud, and wrongful termination. The family said he had been struggling since losing his job and was a victim of systemic bias. They further accused authorities of mishandling communication, claiming that they were not informed of his death in a timely manner and only learned of the incident through friends in California.
Relatives have appealed to the Ministry of External Affairs to intervene and ensure that his body is repatriated to India at the earliest. They also demanded a transparent investigation into the circumstances of the shooting and urged Indian diplomatic representatives in the United States to press for accountability.
The incident has caused shockwaves within the Indian diaspora in California, where community members have called for a thorough review of the police response. Advocacy groups have highlighted the need to examine whether cultural and racial factors played a role in how the situation escalated. The Santa Clara Police Department has stated that the matter is under independent review, as is standard in officer-involved shootings.
This tragedy comes at a time when concerns about the safety of Indian nationals and students in the United States have been growing, with multiple incidents reported in recent months. The Telangana government has expressed support for the family and is in touch with Indian consular officials in San Francisco.
While the police version of events presents Nizamuddin as an aggressor, his family’s allegations of racial harassment and wrongful treatment have raised serious questions about the broader challenges faced by immigrants in the US technology sector. As investigations continue, the case is expected to draw further scrutiny from both Indian and American authorities.
