SANTA CLARA — Authorities on Friday released additional details about a fatal police shooting earlier this month in Santa Clara, including the deceased man’s name and possible motive for stabbing his roommate, which led an officer to open fire.
The Santa Clara Police Department identified the man as Nizamuddin Mohammed in an update on its investigation into the shooting.
In the update, Santa Clara police Lt. Eric Lagergren said an investigation determined Mohammed’s relationship with the victim had deteriorated in recent months. The two shared a home with one other person in the 1800 block of Eisenhower Drive.
“Disagreements escalated over household matters, including thermostat use, and tensions increased after an incident in July 2025, when the suspect damaged property after an argument with the victim,” Lagergren said.
That incident led Mohammed’s landlord to initiate eviction proceedings against him, and on Aug. 29, the victim testified in support of the eviction, according to the update.
“Preliminary information indicates this testimony was a significant factor leading up to the attack,” Lagergren said.
Social media posts attributed to Mohammed also indicate he believed he was facing racial discrimination in the workplace and “ascribed blame to perceived ‘white supremacy,’ ” according to the update. He had been previously employed as a contracted worker through a third-party agency until his termination in February 2024.
“He had publicly stated online that he believed his job loss was the result of discrimination,” Lagergren said, adding that search warrants are pending to confirm he wrote the posts.
On Sept. 3, officers went to the home after a resident called 911 to report a stabbing. The first officer to arrive, Robert Allsup, broke through the front door and found Mohammed straddling the victim while holding a kitchen knife, Santa Clara police Chief Cory Morgan said at a news conference days after the shooting.
Allsup told Mohammed to stop and opened fire when he did not comply, according to Morgan. Mohammed was hit four times and taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Morgan said the victim suffered stab wounds to his hands, chest, lung and abdomen, and was treated and released.
The investigation into the shooting is continuing.
Anyone with information related to the case can contact Detective Sgt. D. Bell at 408-615-4814 or dbell@santaclaraca.gov, or the anonymous tip line at 408-615-4847.
Check back for updates.