© 2026 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace St.
Buffalo, NY 14202

Toronto Address:
130 Queens Quay E.
Suite 903
Toronto, ON M5A 0P6


Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
BTPM NPR Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Differing shades of blue wavering throughout the image
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

More than 5 miles between reported drop-off point and where Shah Alam was found

A Tim Hortons building seen along Niagara Street looking north
Alex Simone
/
BTPM NPR
The Tim Hortons location on Niagara Street in Black Rock.

As reactions and questions continue to surface over the death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a visually impaired man who spent time in Border Patrol custody and was found dead Tuesday night, directions from the reported drop-off spot and where he was found place the two locations more than five miles apart.

A screenshot of Google Maps shows the 5.6-mile distance between Tim Hortons in Black Rock and Perry Street
Google Maps

Customs and Border Protection issued a statement acknowledging his drop off on Thursday, Feb. 19 at "a coffee shop, determined to be a warm, safe location near his last known address."

Per the Investigative Post, the coffee shop — a Tim Hortons in Black Rock — was about a mile from an old address where Shah Alam used to live.

Shah Alam, who was unable to speak English, according to Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan's statement, was reported missing by his family. Buffalo Police officers, responding to a call, found his body at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25 — five days after he was dropped off by Border Patrol.

This is a developing story, continue to check BTPM.org for more information as its gathered.