A 31-year-old Afghan refugee and decorated war hero was fatally shot in Houston after a confrontation over a parking spot—yet no charges have been filed against the alleged gunman, sparking widespread outrage.
Abdul Rahman Waziri, a former member of Afghanistan’s elite mine removal unit who helped U.S. forces before fleeing Taliban rule in 2021, was shot multiple times outside his apartment complex while checking his mail. Witnesses say the dispute began over a vehicle blocking access, escalated into shouting, and ended with the suspect retrieving a firearm and firing at close range.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows the suspect walking away calmly after the shooting. Despite turning himself in and allegedly admitting to the killing, authorities released him without charges pending further investigation. His identity has not been made public.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office has come under fire for declining to prosecute immediately, citing a need for more investigative details. The decision has been condemned by Waziri’s widow, who has since relocated to Florida with their two daughters, fearing for their safety.
Former U.S. soldiers who worked with Waziri in Afghanistan, including retired Green Berets, are demanding justice, calling the lack of accountability an insult to a man who risked his life for American troops. Supporters and refugee advocates argue the case highlights alarming gaps in protection for allies resettled in the U.S.
Community members are organizing demonstrations to pressure local officials for transparency and justice, as the investigation continues into a killing that has left a family shattered and many questioning the system’s response.