Hyderabad: A 32-year-old student from Telangana, Mohammed Nizamuddin, was shot dead by police in Santa Clara, California, after he allegedly stabbed his roommate.
The incident took place on September 3, but his family in Mahbubnagar learned of his death only two weeks later. Nizamuddin, a graduate of the Florida Institute of Technology and a software engineer with a major firm, had moved to the US in 2016 for higher studies. He later shifted to Santa Clara, where he shared accommodation with others.
His father, Husnuddin, a retired teacher, said the family was informed on September 18 by a friend from Raichur, Karnataka, who is also based in Santa Clara. Reports suggest police fired four bullets at Nizamuddin. His body remains in a local hospital pending formalities.
Social worker and Majlis Bachao Tehreek leader Amjed Ullah Khan has written to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar seeking assistance to repatriate the body. “From what we know, Nizamuddin got into a fight with another person, and when police intervened, he was shot dead,” Khan said.
Police version
According to the Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD), officers responded to a 911 call around 6:08 am on Sept 3 about a stabbing.
“The caller reported the suspect had stabbed a victim inside the residence. Officers arrived, encountered the suspect, and were involved in a shooting. The suspect was taken to hospital but pronounced dead. The victim is being treated for injuries. No officers were hurt,” SCPD said in a statement.
Police Chief Cory Morgan said the fight between roommates escalated into violence, with Nizamuddin stabbing the victim. When officers forced entry, he was allegedly holding a knife and threatening to attack again.
“Our preliminary findings suggest the officer’s actions prevented further harm and likely saved a life,” Morgan said. Two knives were recovered at the scene.
Family in shock
Nizamuddin’s family is devastated by both the tragedy and the delay in communication. “We just want to bring him home and give him a proper burial,” his father said.
The Ministry of External Affairs is expected to take up the matter with US authorities following appeals from community leaders and local representatives.
