Indian man shot dead by police after scuffle with roommate in California

A 29-year-old man from the South Indian state of Telangana was shot dead by the police in Santa Clara, California, due to a scuffle with his roommate. Indian-origin man Mohammed Nizamuddin had shifted to the US in 2016 to pursue his master's degree and later worked as a software engineer.

Santa Clara Police confirmed that officers responded to a 911 call about a stabbing incident between 6:08 and 6:18 a.m. on September 3, 2025. They reported finding Nizamuddin allegedly armed with a knife and pinning his injured roommate to the ground. Despite multiple verbal commands, police claim Nizamuddin attempted to attack the roommate again, prompting them to fire four rounds. Nizamuddin was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His roommate survived and remains under treatment. Two knives were recovered from the scene.

The call of his death was received by his father on Thursday (18) from the police where they informed that his dead body was supposed to be collected from the hospital in the city.

In a letter addressed to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Hasnuddin requested assistance in repatriating his son’s body and urged the Embassy of India in Washington D.C. and the Consulate General of India in San Francisco to conduct a thorough inquiry into the circumstances of the death.

Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) spokesperson Amjed Ullah Khan shared the father’s letter on X, appealing to the Minister to intervene and provide all possible support to the grieving family.

Family members, however, allege that Nizamuddin himself may have called police for help and accuse the authorities of acting hastily. They also expressed anger that they were not informed about his death for over two weeks and only learned of the incident through friends in California.

Reports suggest the altercation with the roommate started over a petty issue, apparently concerning an air-conditioning unit, and escalated to knife violence.

Nizamuddin had previously posted on social media about facing racial harassment, wage fraud, wrongful termination, eviction threats, and workplace discrimination. Advocacy groups and social workers have also urged the Indian government to seek answers about his death.

The Indian Consulate in San Francisco has acknowledged the case and is coordinating with local authorities while assisting the family with the repatriation process. The Santa Clara Police Department has confirmed that the incident is under investigation, though bodycam footage and a detailed use-of-force report have not yet been released.