Homicide Ruling in Death of Blind Refugee: Calls for Accountability

Wed Apr 01 2026 22:59:22 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The tragic death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a nearly blind refugee from Myanmar, who was abandoned on the streets of Buffalo has been ruled a homicide, prompting calls for accountability from local officials and advocates. Shah Alam, whose demise was exacerbated by complications from dehydration and hypothermia, faced unfortunate circumstances after being left without assistance by Border Patrol agents.

Authorities confirm that the death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a nearly blind Myanmar refugee, has been ruled a homicide by the Erie County Medical Examiner. While Shah Alam died from dehydration and hypothermia complications, the ruling raises questions about the actions of U.S. Border Patrol agents who left him at a closed restaurant. Local officials and advocates are demanding accountability for the incident, with calls for a thorough investigation into the matter.

The death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a nearly blind refugee from Myanmar found dead on a Buffalo street in February, has been ruled a homicide, authorities have announced. This ruling comes five days after U.S. Border Patrol agents left him at a closed doughnut shop.

The Erie County Medical Examiner's Office stated that Shah Alam's death was due to complications related to a perforated duodenal ulcer, which were aggravated by hypothermia and dehydration. A homicide ruling indicates that Allah's death resulted from another person's actions or inaction but does not necessarily imply a crime was committed.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz expressed his condolences to Shah Alam's family at a news conference, 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.

Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigration Coalition, has called for a criminal investigation into the actions of the Border Patrol agents involved. He emphasized that Shah Alam sought safety in the U.S. yet was left to die on the streets. 'Every single person involved must be held responsible,' he stressed.

Shah Alam was a member of the Rohingya ethnic minority from Myanmar, which is facing severe persecution and statelessness. He left Myanmar for Malaysia before being granted refugee status in the U.S. and arriving with his family in December 2024.

In a previous statement, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency defended its actions, asserting that Shah Alam showed no signs of distress or disabilities when dropped off by agents at a Tim Hortons restaurant. However, the restaurant was closed at the time of his arrival.

After his release from an Erie County jail where he had spent a year due to previous charges, Shah Alam was detained briefly by Border Patrol and ultimately declared missing by his family. His lifeless body was discovered near a downtown sports arena, raising numerous questions about the circumstances surrounding his tragic death.