Indian IT Engineer Shot in the US: What the Investigation and Family Reveal

Tragedy in the US: Telangana Techie Fatally Shot, Here’s What We Know

The fatal shooting of a Telangana techie by the United States police has sent shockwaves through the Indian community abroad. Reportedly, a small quarrel with a roommate escalated into violence, which was intervened in by the Police, causing the death of 30-year-old software professional, Mohammed Nizamuddin, on September 3.

Why Police Shot Nizamuddin?

According to a statement issued by the Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD), officers received an emergency 911 call around 6:08 a.m. (local time) on September 3, about a stabbing incident.

“The caller stated the suspect had stabbed one victim in the residence. SCPD officers arrived, encountered the suspect, and were involved in an officer-involved shooting,” the statement read.

After the incident, Nizamuddin was immediately taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His roommate, who also had sustained serious injuries, is currently hospitalised.

SCPD Chief Cory Morgan stated, “From the initial investigation, it appears the officer’s action stopped further harm and likely saved at least one life,” Morgan said, adding that two knives were recovered from the scene.

Nizamuddin’s Family Demands Justice

“It started as a quarrel and escalated. Knives were involved, and the police were called. The next thing we know, he was shot dead,” one of Nizamuddin’s family members said.

Nizamuddin’s father, Mohammed Hasnuddin, while expressing his anguish, sought help from the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to repatriate his son’s body.

“I came to know he was shot dead by Santa Clara Police, and his body is in some hospital in Santa Clara, California. I do not know the actual reasons why police shot him dead,” he said.

What do We Know about Mohammed Nizamuddin?

Nizamuddin shifted to the US to pursue a Master’s degree in Computer Science at a Florida college in 2016. After completing his course, the Telengana techie joined a software company and later moved to Santa Clara, California.

His LinkedIn profile reads employment with EPAM Systems for a Google project. However, he was laid off from his job earlier this year.

In one of his LinkedIn posts, written shortly before his death, Nizamuddin alleged that he had been the target of severe racial discrimination. “I have been a victim of racial hatred, racial discrimination, racial harassment, torture, wage fraud, wrongful termination, and obstruction of justice,” he wrote in a post.

“Enough is enough. White supremacy and the racist white American mentality have to end. Oppression of corporate tyrants must end, and everyone involved in it must be punished severely,” he added.

He said he was paid unfairly and ‘wrongfully terminated’ from his job, and the situation turned worse when he was forced to vacate his accommodation. According to the post, even after his tenure, he continued to face extreme harassment and intimidation.

He claimed, "Colleagues, employer, client, detective, and their community altogether are the main aggressors. They are the troublemakers and oppressors behind the current chaos, not me. It is happening with me today, and it can happen with anyone tomorrow. So I ask the world to do the needful in demanding justice against the oppression and the wrongdoings of the people involved. I totally understand I am no saint, but they need to understand they are no God".

To date, the Santa Clara Police Department has not released any bodycam footage or additional details about the incident. In a statement, SCPD said “the probe into the circumstances leading to Nizamuddin's death is active and an open investigation".

Family members of the victim described him as a “quiet and religious person,” who had recently been vocal about his struggles in the US.

Not many days ago, the incident of beheading Karnataka-born Chandra Nagamallaiah by co-worker Cobos-Martinez in broad daylight shook Indians living in the US. Such back-to-back horrific incidents show the vulnerability of human life amidst socioeconomic turmoil. Also. It raises concerns about safety across the United States.