A 32-year-old software engineer from Telangana was fatally shot by police in California on September 3, 2025, after an altercation with his roommate, sparking allegations of racial discrimination and delayed family notification that has outraged the Indian-American community.
Mohammed Nizamuddin, originally from Mahabubnagar district, was killed by Santa Clara Police Officer Robert Allsup during what authorities described as a domestic violence incident. However, his family learned of his death only two weeks later, raising serious questions about notification protocols and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Police Version Conflicts with Family Claims
According to Santa Clara Police Chief Cory Morgan, officers responded to a 911 call at 6:08 AM reporting a stabbing incident on Eisenhower Drive. Police claim they found Nizamuddin actively stabbing his roommate with a knife.
“The officer attempted to de-escalate the situation with verbal commands, but the suspect ignored the commands and raised their arm, holding the knife in a striking position above the victim,” Morgan stated during a press conference.
Officer Allsup, a 12-year veteran, fired four shots when he saw Nizamuddin’s hand moving toward the victim with the knife. The roommate survived with stab wounds to the hands, chest, lung, and abdomen.
However, Nizamuddin’s family disputes this narrative entirely. They claim their son called 911 for help and was the victim of ongoing harassment, not the aggressor.
Delayed Notification Shocks Family
The most disturbing aspect for the family was learning about Nizamuddin’s death two weeks after the incident. His father, Mohammed Hasnuddin, a retired teacher, had been trying to contact his son for days.
“I tried calling my son several times, but his phone was switched off. Only later did we learn he had been killed,” Hasnuddin said, expressing deep shock and anguish.
The family was finally informed through one of Nizamuddin’s friends from Raichur, Karnataka, who was also based in Santa Clara.
Pre-Death Allegations of Workplace Racism
Weeks before his death, Nizamuddin had publicly alleged racial discrimination through a LinkedIn post: “I have been a victim of racial hatred, racial discrimination, racial harassment, torture, wage-fraud, wrongful termination and obstruction of Justice”.
The post continued with stronger language: “Enough is enough, white supremacy/racist white American mentality has to end. Oppression of corporate tyrants must end and everyone involved in it must be punished severely”.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Nizamuddin worked for Google through EPAM Systems but was terminated six months before his death. He alleged food poisoning, eviction threats, and surveillance by what he described as a “racist detective”.
Educational and Professional Background
Nizamuddin moved to the United States in 2016 to pursue a Master’s degree in Computer Science at the Florida Institute of Technology. After graduation, he worked as a software engineer for various companies, including Virginia Employment Commission, before joining Google through EPAM Systems in Santa Clara.
Community members described him as a “very calm and quiet person and a very religious person who used to pray five times” – contradicting the aggressive portrayal presented by police.
Community Response and Diplomatic Action
Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) spokesperson Amjed Ullah Khan has taken up the case, visiting the family in Mahbubnagar and writing to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Khan is seeking assistance from the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Consulate General in San Francisco to help repatriate Nizamuddin’s body and ensure a thorough investigation.
“From what we know, Nizamuddin got into a fight with another person, and the police were called to intervene. In the process, the police opened fire and he was killed,” Khan stated.
Previous Police Contact
Police records show officers had previously responded to the same residence for a dispute between Nizamuddin and the same roommate over air conditioning being left on with windows open. This prior incident adds complexity to understanding the relationship dynamics that led to the fatal confrontation.
Investigation Status
The Santa Clara Police Department and Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office are conducting a joint investigation. Officer Allsup has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigation’s outcome.
Police Chief Morgan defended the officer’s actions: “Based on our preliminary investigation, we believe the officer’s actions prevented further harm and clearly saved at least one life and possibly others”.
Current Situation
Nizamuddin’s body remains at a hospital in Santa Clara pending legal formalities and the family’s efforts to arrange repatriation. The Ministry of External Affairs is expected to take up the matter with U.S. authorities following formal requests from community leaders and the family.
The case has sparked broader discussions about workplace discrimination in the tech industry and the challenges faced by international workers in asserting their rights without fear of retaliation.
As the investigation continues, both Indian and American authorities face pressure to ensure transparency and accountability in determining the exact circumstances that led to this tragic outcome.
