Medical examiners have ruled that the death of a nearly blind refugee from Myanmar, five days after he was abandoned by Border Patrol at a donut shop in Buffalo, New York, was a homicide.
Buffalo, New York – the The death of a nearly blind refugee from Myanmar Who was found on a Buffalo street in February, five days after he was found by Border Patrol agents I left it at the cake shop – He was sentenced to death, authorities said Wednesday.
The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office made no conclusions about responsibility for Nurul Amin Shah Alam’s death, which the agency said was caused by complications of a perforated duodenal ulcer, precipitated by hypothermia and dehydration. Ruling a death a homicide means it was caused by another person’s actions – or inaction – but does not necessarily mean that a crime was committed.
Erie County officials planned to hold a news conference later Wednesday.
A message seeking comment was sent to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The agency had previously said that Shah Alam “did not show any signs of distress, mobility issues or disability that required special assistance” when agents dropped him off on February 19 at a Tim Hortons restaurant north of downtown Buffalo. The agency said the facility was chosen as a warm, safe location near his last known address.
Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan said the restaurant was closed at the time.
Shah Alam, 56, was released from a county jail and then briefly detained by the Border Patrol, until the federal agency decided he was ineligible for deportation. His family, who were awaiting his release from prison, were not informed of this.
Shah Alam’s lawyer finally reported him missing to Buffalo police on February 22.
On February 24, he was found dead near the downtown sports arena where the NHL’s Buffalo Sabers play. It was not clear how he got there from a Tim Hortons, several miles away, or when he died.