Mohammed Nizamuddin, a 29-year-old Indian man from Mahbubnagar district in Telangana, was fatally shot by Santa Clara Police in California on September 3, 2025, following an altercation with his roommate. Authorities allege that Nizamuddin attacked his roommate with a knife, prompting a 911 call.
When officers arrived, they encountered Nizamuddin allegedly straddling the roommate and threatening further violence, at which point they fired multiple shots. He was transported to a hospital, where he later died. The roommate survived and was treated for serious stab injuries.
Nizamuddin had moved to the U.S. in 2016 to pursue a Master’s degree in Computer Science. After completing his degree, he was working professionally in the tech sector. According to his family, he was employed via EPAM Systems and had been living in shared accommodation in Santa Clara.
He had lost his job several months before the incident. Friends and the family say that he had earlier raised complaints about racial harassment, workplace discrimination, wrongful termination, and wage fraud. He made a public post on LinkedIn claiming he had experienced “racial hatred … racial harassment … wage-fraud … wrongful termination and obstruction of justice.”
The Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) has released an official statement saying officers responded to a call at around 6:08 a.m. local time regarding a stabbing inside a residence.
Upon arrival, they encountered Nizamuddin allegedly holding a knife and pinning down his roommate, who had suffered injuries. Officers recovered two knives from the scene. In their preliminary description, the SCPD said that the officer-involved shooting occurred because of the perceived threat to human life. The officer responsible has been placed on administrative leave pending investigation. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is jointly investigating with the police department.
Nizamuddin’s father, Mohammed Hasnuddin, learned of his death on September 18 via a friend of his son based in Santa Clara.
His father has said he does not have full clarity on why the police fired. In a letter addressed to India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, the family has requested the intervention of Indian diplomatic missions in the U.S. to ascertain the facts, ensure a transparent investigation, and facilitate repatriation of his mortal remains. Community organisations such as Majlis Bachao Tehreek have amplified the call for justice and accountability.
On the prosecution side, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is jointly investigating the case with the police department, in keeping with standard procedure for officer-involved shootings. The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave.
According to local U.S. reporting, the officer fired four shots. The incident took place on Eisenhower Drive in Santa Clara, in a residence shared by several tech workers. The roommate survived the stabbing. The officer involved, identified by authorities in media reports as Robert Allsup, has been placed on paid leave while the matter is under official review.
The case has sparked broader discussion among Indian diaspora communities and civil rights advocates about treatment of international students and workers, use of force by police in U.S. law enforcement, and racial discrimination.
Nizamuddin’s family claim that he had suffered repeated harassment and discrimination in both workplace and social settings. Authorities have not yet released final findings; the investigation is active and open, and further updates are expected from the police department and district attorney’s office.
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