HOUSTON – In a gathering outside the Houston Police Department, community leaders and family members called for immediate action in the fatal shooting of Abdul Rahman Waziri, a former Afghan military trainer who had resettled in Houston after aiding U.S. forces.
A life of service cut short
“He was a hero,” said Nisar Momand, a leader in the Afghan-American community. “He served alongside American Special Forces in Afghanistan for many years, risking his life to protect the very freedoms we value today.”
Waziri, a father of two young daughters, was reportedly checking his mail at his apartment complex when an altercation over parking escalated. Attorney Omar Khawaja, representing the family, stated, “The shooter became very aggressive... and murdered him in cold blood.”
Community’s plea for action
Omar Yousafzai, another community leader, expressed the collective fear and frustration:
“The whole community is thinking, if this is happening to us, then what should we do?”
Family members revealed that the alleged shooter remained in the apartment complex for days after the incident, intensifying the community’s distress. “Even the neighborhood, everyone was scared of him,” said Waziri’s brother.
Questions surrounding the investigation
Attorney Kawaja criticized the police response, noting a lack of communication and action:
“There has not been a proper investigation to determine who saw what and heard what from the scene.”
He emphasized that self-defense claims should be examined within the legal system:
“Self-defense is an affirmative defense... You cannot provoke the incident and then raise the claim of self-defense.”
A call for justice
The family and community leaders are urging the Houston Police Department to arrest the suspect and conduct a thorough investigation. They stress that Waziri’s service to the U.S. and his pursuit of a peaceful life in America should not end in such tragedy.
“He came here to be safe,” said his brother. “But here is not safe for nobody.”
The community continues to seek answers and justice for Abdul Rahman Waziri, hoping that his sacrifice and life will be honored appropriately.
