Trending Now - Border Agents' Release of Rohingya Refugee Ruled Homicide

WHO:

The Guardian - Nurul Amin Shah, a 56-year-old Rohingya refugee from Myanmar

NBC News - Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan, Erie County health commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Mohamad Faisal Nurul Amin (Shah's son)

WHAT:

The Guardian - The death of Nurul Amin Shah was ruled a homicide by the Erie County medical examiner’s office.

NBC News - The cause of death was determined to be “complications of a perforated duodenal ulcer precipitated by hypothermia and dehydration.”

NBC News - Shah was found dead on February 24th, 2026, five days after being dropped off by Border Patrol agents.

The Guardian - Shah was left in the parking lot of a Tim Hortons without notifying his family or attorney.

WHERE:

The Guardian - The incident occurred in Buffalo, New York, specifically at a Tim Hortons parking lot.

NBC News - Shah was resettled in Buffalo in December 2024.

WHEN:

The Guardian - Shah was dropped off by Border Patrol agents on February 19th, 2026, at approximately 8:18 PM.

The Guardian - Shah died on February 24th, 2026.

The Guardian - The final determination of the manner of death was made on March 31st, 2026.

NBC News - Shah was arrested on February 15th, 2025.

WHY:

The Guardian - Shah fled genocide in Myanmar to build a life in the United States.

NBC News - The designation of homicide refers to death resulting from the actions of another person, including negligent acts or omissions.

HOW:

The Guardian - Shah was left outside in cold temperatures without access to medical care, leading to his death.

NBC News - Shah was released from the Erie County Holding Center and subsequently dropped off by Border Patrol agents at a coffee shop, which was closed at the time.

(UPDATED April 2, 2026 05:32 UTC)

The death of 56-year-old Nurul Amin Shah, a Rohingya refugee from Myanmar, has been ruled a homicide by the Erie County medical examiner’s office after he was found dead February 24th, just five days after being dropped off by Border Patrol agents. The cause of death was determined to be complications from a perforated duodenal ulcer, which were exacerbated by hypothermia and dehydration after he was left outside in cold temperatures without medical care. Shah, who fled genocide in Myanmar to seek a better life in the United States, was resettled in Buffalo in December 20th24 and was dropped off at a closed Tim Hortons parking lot without notifying his family or attorney.