‘War hero’ allegedly killed by neighbor over parking dispute in Texas, but cops let confessed shooter walk

Tragedy upon tragedy unfolded in Houston, Texas, regarding the senseless shooting death of an Afghan refugee who served with American special forces.

(Video Credit: KPRC 2)

On April 27, 31-year-old Abdul Rahman Waziri reportedly pulled up to the mailbox at his apartment complex, invoking the ire of another resident. It was their dispute “over parking” that escalated to a fatal shooting, only for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office to let the suspect walk.

“He came here to be safe, and here, when he came, this happened to him,” the victim’s brother, Abdullah Khan, told KTRK. The Afghani father of two young girls was said to have been confronted by the suspect, and, according to witness testimony provided to attorneys, the man vandalized Waziri’s car before the men exchanged blows.

“After the altercation is already over and Mr. Waziri is walking back to his car, the shooter grabs a gun and murders him. He executes him in cold blood,” contended Omar Khawaja, the attorney representing the victim’s family. “We believe this was a public execution. There’s no other way to call it.”

According to a press release from the Houston Police Department, Wazire was shot multiple times and pronounced dead after being transported to Ben Taub General Hospital. Tracking down the alleged shooter proved unnecessary as the man reportedly turned himself in.

“As officers were investigating the shooting, they were approached by a male who stated he was the shooter and explained he and the deceased male were arguing over parking,” detailed HPD. “Officers retrieved the firearm and took the male’s statement regarding the shooting.”

Shortly thereafter, the suspect was let go without any reported charges brought against him: “After consulting with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, the male was released and HPD investigators will continue their investigation.”

Prior to community members holding a protest outside an HPD station Friday, Khan had expressed, “We want the guy to be arrested, and he was walking in front of me. That’s unacceptable.”

Likewise, Afghan community leader Omer Yousafzai told KTRK, “Everybody was afraid that if the murderer is living amongst us, he killed somebody yesterday and he’s back here today.”

“He was a hero,” Nisar Momand, another leader, said, according to KPRC. “He served alongside American special forces in Afghanistan for many years, risking his life to protect the very freedoms we value today.”

While it remains to be seen what will come of the investigation, a crowdfunding campaign has been started in Waziri’s honor with a goal of $50,000 toward covering the cost of transporting the victim’s remains to Afghanistan for a funeral.

“After serving bravely, Abdul Rahman came to the United States seeking a better and safer life for himself and his family,” read the campaign that has already raised nearly $19,000. “Tragically, his life was cut short when he was killed without reason.”

“Abdul Rahman stood by the United States during times of need; now, it is our turn to stand by his family in theirs,” it continued. “Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference.”

Staff Writer

Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn’t researching current events and their impacts, you’ll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.

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