Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement on Apr. 1 after the Erie County Medical Examiner ruled the death of NurulAmin Shah Alam a homicide. Hochul said that Shah Alam, who was blind and unable to speak English, was left outside a closed Tim Hortons coffee shop by officials from Donald Trump’s Department of Homeland Security during a cold February night.
The governor described the situation as an example of “cruelty and inhumanity” that she said should concern all Americans. She noted her personal connection with Shah Alam’s family, stating, “Last month, I mourned with his widow and two of his children, including his 11-year-old son, and shared my deepest condolences — from one Buffalo mom to another.”
Hochul emphasized the need for accountability in this case. “As more details of this case emerge, I want to be crystal clear: Every individual involved in the death of Mr. Shah Alam must be held fully accountable,” she said.
She also confirmed communication between her team and District Attorney Keane within the past hour regarding the ongoing investigation. Hochul added that she is glad to hear Keane is investigating and called for continued efforts: “To ensure a fair and impartial investigation, the Erie County District Attorney must continue his investigation and, if warranted by the evidence, prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.”
The broader implications of this case center on concerns about how vulnerable individuals are treated during immigration enforcement actions.
