A man in Houston allegedly shot and killed an Afghan refugee named Abdul Rahman Waziri, reportedly running toward him before opening fire, and then casually left the scene, as reported by Waziri’s family.
A video obtained shows the shooter, who claims self-defense but remains unnamed and uncharged, engaged in an altercation concerning a parking dispute at the apartment complex both men shared.
Waziri’s relatives believe the footage supports their assertion that he was attacked. They are calling for the gunman’s arrest. Khan, Waziri’s brother, expressed his outrage, recalling seeing the assailant walk past him while he was cleaning up his brother’s blood the day after the incident.
A group of Green Berets who fought alongside Waziri is also vocal in their quest for justice. They are united in their frustration over the handling of the case.
Waziri had escaped the Taliban and relocated to the U.S. only to be shot on April 27 when he pulled into the parking lot of his West Houston apartment to collect his mail.
Despite the circumstances, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office has opted not to file charges, stating they are still awaiting more information from investigators, specifically regarding whether they have seen the video.
The family’s account suggests that the footage, captured by surveillance cameras, indicates the shooter’s aggression began when he became irritated after pulling in behind Waziri’s car.
Witnesses also reported seeing the gunman damaging Waziri’s vehicle prior to the fatal encounter, according to Omar Kawaja, the family’s attorney.
The family asserts that the video shows the assailant running toward Waziri and shooting him multiple times, although the shooting itself remains obscured from view.
Once law enforcement arrived, they discovered Waziri’s body beside his white Toyota Camry, and he was pronounced dead at Ben Taub General Hospital shortly thereafter.
After the shooting, the gunman expressed to officers at the scene that he felt threatened, stating he was in a perilous situation. Police confiscated his firearm and temporarily detained him but later released him.
Waziri’s family, reflecting on their tragic experience, lamented the danger present even in their new home, questioning how someone could be killed over such a petty dispute.
Green Beret Ben Hoffman spoke highly of Waziri, emphasizing his bravery and commitment, calling him a hero. Retired Special Forces Green Beret Chris Wells echoed this sentiment, expressing dismay that someone who had served the U.S. would face such a violent end in a supposed safe haven.
