A refugee from Myanmar died in Buffalo, N.Y. He was left outside a Tim Hortons by U.S. Border Patrol. This happened five days before his body was found. The death has been ruled a homicide.

The medical examiner said Nurul Amin Shah Alam's death was caused by a perforated ulcer. This was due to hypothermia and dehydration. Ruling a death a homicide means it resulted from another person's actions.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, 'This should not have happened.'

Mark Poloncarz was asked if the Border Patrol was responsible. He did not comment and said law enforcement would decide.

State Attorney General Letitia James and Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane are reviewing the case. Keane asked for the full autopsy report but did not comment further.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Shah Alam showed no signs of distress when dropped off. The agency said he was left at a warm, safe location.

The Department of Homeland Security said the death had nothing to do with Border Patrol. They said news coverage was trying to 'demonize our law enforcement.'

Border Patrol said they offered Shah Alam a ride to a coffee shop. They thought it was a warm, safe place near his last address.

The Tim Hortons was closed when Shah Alam was dropped off. He walked through the empty parking lot, pulling his hood up against the cold.

Shah Alam's lawyer reported him missing to Buffalo police on Feb. 22.

Immigrant advocates called for justice for Shah Alam. He was a member of the Muslim Rohingya ethnic minority.

Shah Alam sought safety in the U.S. but was left to die in the street. Advocates called for a criminal investigation into the Border Patrol agents.

Gov. Kathy Hochul called for accountability for everyone involved. She said her aides spoke to the district attorney.

Many details about Shah Alam's health and final days are not publicly known. His autopsy report is confidential under New York law.

Shah Alam developed a stress ulcer. The ulcer breached his intestinal wall, creating a painful medical emergency.

He was found dead near the downtown sports arena. It was unclear how he got there from the Tim Hortons.

His family was not informed of his release from jail. Local immigration advocates said Border Patrol is not required to do so.

Shah Alam left Myanmar for Malaysia, where he worked in construction. He came to the U.S. as a refugee with his family in December 2024.

Imran Fazal, who knows the family, said Shah Alam's death left people grieving and fearful.

Imran Fazal said, 'This tragedy was entirely preventable, and it reflects a serious failure in the systems meant to protect vulnerable people.'

Shah Alam spent about a year in the Erie County jail on felony assault charges. He struggled with police who found him with curtain rods.

Police said he bit two officers. Advocates said he didn't understand the officers' commands.

He pleaded guilty to lesser charges and was released from jail. Border Patrol briefly detained him before determining he wasn't eligible for deportation.