Abdul Waziri, who fought alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan against the Taliban before immigrating to Houston three years ago, was tragically shot and killed in the parking lot of his west Houston apartment complex last month. The incident has left family members and military personnel calling for justice as they grapple with the loss of a beloved friend and comrade.
The shooting took place on April 27, as captured by security video footage, shortly after Waziri had finished checking his mailbox at his apartment complex on Richmond Avenue. Police revealed that an argument over parking between Waziri and another resident escalated, resulting in the fatal shooting of the 31-year-old Afghan immigrant. Former Green Beret Master Sgt. Ben Hoffman, a close friend of Waziri, expressed shock and disbelief over the senseless tragedy, highlighting Waziri’s contributions to securing freedom alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Hoffman described Waziri as a “lion of a man” with a peaceful demeanor, making his violent death even more incomprehensible.
The night of the shooting, Waziri was returning home to his wife and two daughters when the fatal altercation occurred. Witnesses recounted seeing Waziri pull into the apartment complex gate in his white Toyota, followed by another vehicle. The exact details leading to the shooting remain obscured by a carport, but witnesses claimed that the confrontation stemmed from a dispute over a parking spot. Despite the man in the black sedan confessing to the shooting, no charges have been filed as of three weeks later, prompting frustration and confusion among those seeking accountability for Waziri’s death. Attorney Omar Khawaja, representing Waziri’s family, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that eyewitnesses had provided crucial details about the events leading up to the fatal shooting. Both Khawaja and Hoffman expressed bewilderment at the lack of progress in the case, questioning why the shooter has not been arrested and charged. The district attorney’s office cited the need for additional information from investigators before making a decision on filing charges, prolonging the wait for justice in Waziri’s tragic death.
