A 30-year-old software professional from Telangana, Mohammed Nizamuddin, was allegedly shot dead by police in Santa Clara, California, earlier this month after a violent altercation with his roommate escalated.
Nizamuddin, originally from Mahabubnagar district, had gone to the US in 2016 for higher studies at Florida College. After completing his MS, he joined a tech firm and later moved to California following a promotion.
According to Nizamuddin’s father, Mohammed Hasnuddin, the family was informed by a friend about the incident, which reportedly took place on September 3. The exact sequence of events remains unclear.
A relative told ANI that the dispute began over an air-conditioner issue and escalated into a fight involving knives. A neighbour reportedly called the police.
“When the police entered the room, they asked the occupants to show their hands. One boy complied; the other did not. The police then fired four rounds. This is extremely regrettable — reports suggest no proper inquiry took place, and the shooting happened very quickly,” the relative said.
Family’s Appeal to Government
Hasnuddin has written to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, seeking urgent help to repatriate his son’s mortal remains.
“Today morning, I came to know he (Nizamuddin) was shot dead by Santa Clara Police and his mortal remains are in some hospital in Santa Clara, California. I do not know the actual reasons why police shot him dead,” the letter read.
He urged the Indian Embassy in Washington DC and the Consulate General of India in San Francisco to intervene and facilitate the process of bringing his son home.
Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) spokesperson Amjed Ullah Khan also shared the family’s plea on X, amplifying their request to the central and Telangana state governments.
Growing Concern Over Indian-Origin Deaths in US
This is the latest in a string of tragic incidents involving Indian-origin individuals in the United States, sparking concern among families back home about safety and police conduct.
