Techie Shot Dead By Police After Stabbing Incident, Family Alleges Racial Bias

SANTA CLARA, CA – The family of a 30-year-old Indian techie from Telangana who was shot dead by police in California earlier this month has alleged racial discrimination and demanded a thorough investigation.

Mohammed Nizamuddin, a native of Mahabubnagar, was shot by Santa Clara police on September 3 after allegedly stabbing his roommate during an argument at their residence. Both men were hospitalized, but Nizamuddin later died. His family said they were informed of his death only on September 18.

According to Santa Clara police, officers responded to a 911 call about a stabbing and opened fire after the situation escalated. The family, however, maintains that Nizamuddin himself called the police for help before being shot.

Just 15 days before the incident, Nizamuddin had posted on LinkedIn alleging racial harassment, wage fraud, wrongful termination, and surveillance by a private detective. The family claimed the roommate involved in the altercation was the same person he referred to in the post.

“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,” he wrote in the post.

Nizamuddin had moved to the United States in 2015 for a Master’s degree in Computer Science at the Florida Institute of Technology and later worked at the Virginia Employment Commission, SOCH Company, and Google (via EPAM Systems). At the time of his death, he was employed with a tech firm in Santa Clara.

His father, Mohammed Hasnuddin, has appealed to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, alleging his son was “murdered in cold blood” and seeking assistance in bringing his body back to India. He also demanded a probe by both the Indian and U.S. governments.

On September 19, the Ministry of External Affairs assured the family of all possible assistance, including support with repatriation. (IANS)