Erie County Medical Examiner Rules Nearly Blind Rohingya Refugee’s Buffalo Death a Homicide After CBP Tim Hortons Drop‑Off
The Erie County medical examiner ruled the Feb. death of 56‑year‑old Rohingya refugee Nurul Amin Shah Alam a homicide, finding he died of a perforated duodenal ulcer precipitated by hypothermia and dehydration after being left by CBP at a Tim Hortons in Buffalo; the ruling means the death resulted from another’s actions or inaction but does not itself determine criminal liability. Shah Alam, who was nearly blind and whose family says it was not notified of his release (his lawyer reported him missing Feb. 22 and his body was found Feb. 24), had been released on bail after a February plea; the Erie County DA and New York AG have opened investigations while Gov. Kathy Hochul called the conduct “cruel” and DHS disputed the finding, calling it a hoax and denying Border Patrol responsibility.
📌 Key Facts
- The Erie County Medical Examiner ruled the death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam a homicide, finding he died from a perforated duodenal (stress‑induced) ulcer with complications precipitated by hypothermia and dehydration from exposure and lack of access to liquids.
- The medical examiner noted that a homicide ruling means the death resulted from another person’s actions or inaction but does not itself determine criminal liability.
- The decedent is 56‑year‑old Rohingya refugee Nurul Amin Shah Alam of Myanmar, who arrived in the U.S. in 2024; he was nearly blind, his family was not informed of his release, his lawyer reported him missing on Feb. 22, and his body was found two days later near the Buffalo Sabres’ arena.
- Border Patrol agents left Shah Alam at a Tim Hortons in Buffalo; CBP characterized the stop as a "courtesy ride," said he showed no signs of distress or mobility issues when left there, and Buffalo’s mayor said the Tim Hortons was closed at the time.
- Shah Alam had a criminal history that included jailing last year, an immigration detainer, a Feb. 9 plea deal and a February release on bail; prosecutors say the Erie County district attorney was not notified of his release until after his death.
- Multiple investigations and political reactions followed: the Erie County district attorney and New York Attorney General Letitia James have opened investigations; Gov. Kathy Hochul called the conduct "cruel" and "inhumane," explicitly blaming "Donald Trump’s Department of Homeland Security ICE agents" and demanding accountability; a DHS spokesperson dismissed the homicide ruling as "another hoax," saying the death had "NOTHING to do with Border Patrol."
📊 Relevant Data
Since 2017, over 700,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar due to ethnic cleansing and genocide by the military, leading to their resettlement in countries like the US as refugees.
Country policy and information note: Rohingya including Rohingya in Bangladesh, Burma, January 2026 — GOV.UK
Rohingya refugees in the US experience higher rates of chronic illnesses, including musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal disorders, associated with lower quality of life compared to general populations.
Chronic Illness and Quality of Life Among Rohingya Refugees in the United States — JAMA Network Open
In fiscal year 2025, 31 people died in ICE custody, a two-decade high, with nationalities primarily from Latin America, such as Mexico and Honduras.
ICE custody deaths are at a 2-decade high. An Afghan detainee is the latest. — CBS News
Buffalo's foreign-born population increased by 95% between 2006 and 2013, contributing to the city's first population gain in 70 years, driven by immigrants and refugees.
CITY OF BUFFALO New Americans Study — City of Buffalo
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms the decedent’s full name (Nurul Amin Shah Alam), age (56), origin (Myanmar), and refugee arrival year (2024).
- Provides the medical examiner’s more detailed explanation that Shah Alam died from a stress‑induced perforated ulcer precipitated by hypothermia and dehydration due to exposure and lack of access to liquids.
- Reports Gov. Kathy Hochul’s on‑camera statement calling the conduct "cruel" and "inhumane," explicitly blaming "Donald Trump’s Department of Homeland Security ICE agents" and demanding accountability for involved officers.
- Notes that both the Erie County district attorney and New York Attorney General Letitia James have opened investigations into the circumstances of the death and the treatment leading up to it.
- Includes a DHS spokesperson’s new statement dismissing the homicide ruling as "another hoax" and insisting the death had "NOTHING to do with Border Patrol," framing the conflict between local medical findings and federal political messaging.
- Adds timeline details on Shah Alam’s criminal case, including his jailing last year, an immigration detainer, Feb. 9 plea deal, February release on bail, and the DA’s claim it was not notified of his release until after his death.
- Quotes CBP’s prior characterization of the Tim Hortons drop‑off as a "courtesy ride" instead of a direct release from the Border Patrol station.
- ABC piece reiterates that the Erie County Medical Examiner ruled the death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam a homicide caused by complications of a perforated duodenal ulcer, precipitated by hypothermia and dehydration.
- It adds that, according to the medical examiner, a homicide ruling means the death resulted from another person’s actions or inaction but does not itself determine criminal liability.
- The article notes that CBP previously stated Shah Alam showed no signs of distress, mobility issues or disabilities requiring special assistance when agents left him at the Tim Hortons, which Buffalo’s mayor says was closed at the time.
- It emphasizes that Shah Alam was nearly blind, that his family was not informed of his release, and that his lawyer reported him missing on Feb. 22 before his body was found two days later near the Buffalo Sabres’ arena.