DA’s Office Finds Santa Clara Officer Acted Lawfully in September 2025 Shooting Death

The DA's Office determined that an SCPD officer acted lawfully when he shot and killed a man with a knife who was attacking his roommate.

The Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office announced on April 7 that a Santa Clara police officer acted lawfully when he shot and killed a man who was attacking his roommate with a kitchen knife.

According to the District Attorney’s report, “Officer [Robert] Allsup saved (the roommate’s) life. Nizamuddin Mohammed was intent on killing (the roommate) and but for the actions of Officer Allsup would have accomplished his mission.”

On the morning of Sept. 3, 2025, Santa Clara police officers responded to emergency calls of a domestic disturbance at a home on the 1800 block of Eisenhower Drive in Santa Clara.

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According to the news release by the District Attorney’s office, the fight between 32-year-old Nizamuddin Mohammed and his roommate began over the thermostat setting in the home.

The report says that: “Mohammed wrestled the roommate to the ground and began to physically assault and stab him. The roommate’s pleas for help awakened their other two roommates. One roommate remained in his doorway and called 911, while the other attempted to pull Mohammed off. At one point, after the knife blade had broken off its handle, Mohammed assured his roommates the attack was over. Mohammed then walked toward the kitchen, picked up a second knife, jumped back on top of the roommate, and continued his attack.”

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At some point during this second attack, Santa Clara police officers arrived. The officers kicked open the door and, after shouting several warnings, Officer Allsup saw “Mohammed bring the knife toward the injured roommate’s throat,” according to the news release. Officer Allsup fired multiple times, killing Mohammed.

By law, officers can use potentially lethal force if they or someone else is in imminent danger.

Allsup had his body camera on as he entered the home. The footage confirms the report from the District Attorney’s Office. According to the District Attorney’s Office, there were no drugs or alcohol in Mohammed’s system. The roommates told investigators that Mohammed had been acting “erratically” before the attack.