"Learnt About Son's Killing By US Cops Through Friends After 2 Weeks": Family

The family of 30-year-old Indian engineer Mohammed Nizamuddin, who was fatally shot by California police, discovered his death through friends more than two weeks after the September 3 incident.

Mohammed Nizamuddin and his father Mohammad Amsuddhin.

According to Santa Clara police reports, Nizamuddin was shot after officers found him inside his residence with a knife, allegedly pinning down his injured roommate on September 3.

Nizamuddin's father, Mohammad Amsuddhin, told reporters he was only informed of his son's death on Thursday. "I learned about my son's death today. He went to study at a Florida College in 2016... He relocated to California following a promotion but was shot dead. I appeal to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to help us repatriate his body to India as quickly as possible," he stated Thursday.

Mr. Amsuddhin mentioned that he received the tragic news through his son's friends in California.

The family has alleged racial harassment and is requesting a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. They have also sought assistance from the Ministry of External Affairs to transport Nizamuddin's body, currently at a Santa Clara hospital awaiting completion of formalities.

In a LinkedIn post shortly before his death, Mohammed Nizamuddin claimed he was a "victim of racial hatred" and called for an end to "American mentality." He stated he had been unfairly compensated and "wrongfully terminated" from his position, with his situation deteriorating when he was forced to leave his accommodation.

Police stated they responded to a 911 call reporting a stabbing incident inside Nizamuddin's residence when the shooting occurred. An apparent confrontation between Nizamuddin and his roommate had reportedly escalated into violence.

"SCPD officers arrived, encountered the suspect, and were involved in an Officer Involved Shooting. The suspect was transported to a local hospital where they were later pronounced deceased. The victim was transported to a local hospital and is being treated for their injuries," the police statement indicated.

"The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office and the Santa Clara Police Department are conducting a joint investigation. This remains an active and open investigation. As the investigation progresses, we expect to provide an update tomorrow afternoon," they added.

However, Nizamuddin's family maintains that it was he who contacted police for assistance before being shot.

Nizamuddin had completed a Masters in Computer Science at a Florida college and was employed at a technology company in Santa Clara, California. His family described him as quiet and religious, noting that he had publicly raised complaints regarding racial harassment, wage fraud, and wrongful termination from his job.