Indian Tech Worker Shot by Police in California After Knife Incident; Family Alleges Racism, Seeks Full Investigation

A man from India was shot and killed by police in California earlier this month after allegedly stabbing his roommate. His family, however, claims racial discrimination may have played a role and is calling for a full investigation into what happened.

The man, Mohammed Nizamuddin, was originally from Mahabubnagar in Telangana. He had studied for a Master’s in Computer Science in Florida and was working at a tech company in California.

According to police, the incident happened on September 3 in Santa Clara. Officers arrived at his home after a 911 call about a stabbing. When they entered, they say they found Nizamuddin holding a knife and pinning his injured roommate to the ground. Police say they were forced to shoot him. He was taken to the hospital but later died. His roommate survived and is being treated for his injuries.

Authorities from the Santa Clara Police Department and the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office are now investigating the case. They have promised to share more details soon.

However, Nizamuddin’s family believes he was the one who called for help and that the shooting was unjust. They say he was a peaceful and religious man who had earlier complained about racial abuse, wage theft, and unfair treatment at work. In a post on LinkedIn, Nizamuddin wrote that he had faced racial discrimination, harassment, and even food poisoning. He also mentioned being followed and intimidated by someone he believed was a detective.

The family has asked the Indian government to help bring his body back home and to press for a detailed report on the case. Amjed Ullah Khan, a spokesperson for the Majlis Bachao Tehreek, has written to India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, asking for support from the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Consulate in San Francisco.

The case remains under investigation.