Homicide Ruling in Death of Refugee Strands Buffalo Authorities in Controversy

Wed Apr 01 2026 22:50:24 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a nearly blind refugee from Myanmar, has been ruled a homicide, prompting calls for accountability from U.S. Border Patrol and an investigation into the circumstances of his death.

Authorities have determined that the death of 56-year-old Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a refugee from Myanmar, is a homicide as complications from a perforated duodenal ulcer led to his passing after he was left by Border Patrol on the streets of Buffalo. Activists are urging for accountability regarding the treatment he received from the agents, while officials maintain he exhibited no signs of distress at the time of his drop-off.

The death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a nearly blind refugee from Myanmar, found on the streets of Buffalo in February, has been ruled a homicide by the Erie County Medical Examiner's Office. Authorities stated that his death was caused by complications from a perforated duodenal ulcer, exacerbated by hypothermia and dehydration. While a homicide ruling indicates that another person's actions or inactions contributed to the death, it does not automatically imply criminal liability.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz expressed his condolences to Shah Alam's family during a news briefing, stating, This should not have happened. The state attorney general's office and the Erie County district attorney's office are currently reviewing the case, and Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigration Coalition, has called for a thorough investigation into the actions of the Border Patrol agents involved.

Awawdeh remarked, “Shah Alam sought safety in the U.S. and instead, he was left to die in the street,” emphasizing the need for accountability for those responsible.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has maintained that Shah Alam showed no signs of distress or disabilities when he was dropped off at a Tim Hortons, claiming the location was selected to provide warmth and safety. However, critics point out that the restaurant was closed at the time of his drop-off, raising questions about his actual safety after being left alone.

Shah Alam, part of the persecuted Rohingya community, had migrated from Myanmar to Malaysia before being granted refugee status in the U.S. in December 2024. Since his arrival, he had faced several legal challenges, including a stint in Erie County jail due to encounters with police. He was released shortly before his death, and his family had not received communication regarding his release until after he went missing.

Two days after his family reported him missing, his body was discovered near KeyBank Center, home of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres. The timeline of his journey from the Tim Hortons to his final location remains unclear, as advocates and officials continue to seek answers regarding the events leading to his tragic death.