BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam a homicide.
According to a spokesperson for the Erie County Department of Health, the Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the cause of death was “complications of a perforated duodenal ulcer precipitated by hypothermia and dehydration, and the manner of death was homicide.”
The following statement was also released on behalf of Erie County:
“The cause of death refers to the disease or injury that initiates the lethal sequence of events. The manner of death describes the circumstances of a death, or how the cause came about. For death certification purposes, “homicide” refers to death resulting from the volitional act of another, which may include negligent acts or omissions. The designation of homicide does not imply intent to cause harm or death. Manner of death determinations are neutral, non-legal, and exist for vital statistical purposes, only. They do not indicate criminality, which is the purview of the judicial system.
The Erie County ME’s office determination is an evidence-based medical conclusion made by a board-certified pathologist, informed by a physical examination, laboratory testing, and review of all available medical and investigative materials. With respect for Mr. Alam’s family’s privacy and in accordance with state law, our department will not be offering any further information to the public.”
In February, Shah Alam, a partially blind refugee, was released from the Erie County Holding Center after being held on assault charges for a year.
As he was being processed to be released, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office alerted Border Patrol and he was taken into custody by Border Patrol, which had an immigration detainer on him at the time.
Border Patrol then realized he was not eligible to be deported, and agents dropped him off outside a closed Tim Hortons in Riverside. Five days later, he was found dead near Key Bank Center.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Spokesperson previously released a statement to 7 News that said in part that “Border Patrol agents offered him a courtesy ride, which he chose to accept to a coffee shop, determined to be a warm, safe location near his last known address, rather than be released directly from the Border Patrol station.”
You can find a full timeline of events provided by Buffalo police, as well as additional information obtained by the 7 News I-Team, on our site here.
Earlier this week, Assemblyman Jon Rivera called for the Erie County Legislature to hold a hearing on how the sheriff’s office handled the case.
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Congressman Tim Kennedy (D-NY26) has also requested both federal and state investigations into Shah Alam’s death.
New York Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement on the medical examiner’s findings:
“My heart is with Nurul Amin Shah Alam’s loved ones today, as it has been since we first learned of his tragic death.
Mr. Shah Alam fled genocide to build a life in this country. Instead, he was abandoned and left to suffer alone in his final hours.
No New Yorker should be treated this way. My office is continuing our review of the circumstances and treatment that led to Mr. Shah Alam’s death.”
– AG James