Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Officials have found 56-year-old Nurul Amin Shah Alam dead Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. on Perry Street. He had reportedly been dropped off by Border Patrol at a Tim Hortons in the city.
Shah Alam was detained by Border Patrol agents on Feb. 19 after his release from the Erie County Holding Center, but was let go that same day after federal authorities determined he wasn't eligible for deportation.
It is unclear how Shah Alam got to Perry Street after it was reported that he had been dropped off by Border Patrol officials north of the city's downtown.
Buffalo police arrested Shah Alam a year ago after an incident that resulted in minor injuries to two officers in the city's Riverside neighborhood. He was arraigned in Buffalo City Court the next day, where he was held on bail set at $25,000 cash or bond.
A federal immigration detainer was issued after his arrest.
Shah Alam was later indicted by a Grand Jury on felony assault, burglary and criminal mischief charges. At his arraignment on the indictment in June 2025, his bail was modified to $5,000 cash or bond. He continued to be held on bail, as the case proceeded to trial.
Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane says following a careful review of the facts and discussions with Shah Alam's defense counsel, he exercised his prosecutorial discretion to offer a reduced plea in the interest of justice. He says his decision was the result of a comprehensive evaluation of his conduct, criminal history, acceptance of responsibility, medical condition, time served in pre-trial custody, and the proposed resolution.
He also considered the significant collateral consequences that would result from a felony conviction - including mandatory deportation.
Then on Feb. 9 this year, Shah Alam pleaded guilty in Erie County Court to two misdemeanor charges - one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon and one count of Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree. His bail was continued at $5,000 cash or bond, and the matter was scheduled for sentencing on March 24.
At the time of the plea, it was the District Attorney's understanding and agreement with defense counsel that Shah Alam would remain in custody on bail while pending sentence. His office was not aware of his release until Tuesday.
The federal immigration detainer that was previously issued had remained in place at the time his bond was posted on Thursday, Feb. 19. Keane says his office will move to dismiss the charges upon receipt of his death certificate.
In a statement Wednesday night, Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan called the death a "dereliction of duty" by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
"U.S. Customs and Border Protection must answer for how and why this happened," Ryan said.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection defended its actions in a prepared statement:
"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. He showed no signs of distress, mobility issues, or disabilities requiring special assistance."
