He Saved Americans’ Lives in Afghanistan. Then an American Took His Life in Texas.
Why was the war hero’s killer allowed to walk free?

JILLIAN BUTLER AND WILL SELBER
MAY 29, 2025

(Composite / Photos via GoFundMe / GettyImages / Shutterstock)

ON APRIL 27, 31-YEAR-OLD ADBUL RAHMAN WAZIRI was shot outside his apartment complex in Houston, where he lived with his wife and two young children. According to security camera footage, the shooter became frustrated when Waziri briefly double-parked in front of a mailbox to get his mail. Waziri’s family’s lawyer, Omar Khawaja, said the two men then engaged in a heated exchange before the shooter went back to his car to grab a weapon. With his hands raised, Waziri pleaded, “Please don’t shoot.” Seconds later, gunfire took his life.

The shooter later called 911 on himself. When the police arrived, he surrendered his firearm, and law enforcement took him into custody—but then, after questioning him, the police released the shooter without charges. Houston District Attorney Sean Teare, who initially declined to bring charges, said he may reconsider convening a grand jury.

“Let’s not kid ourselves: Had it been me or another American veteran killed over a parking spot, Sean Teare would have charged the shooter outright long ago,” Thomas Kasza, a former Green Beret and founder of the charity 1208 Foundation for Afghan veterans, told The Bulwark.

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