ICE deports Canadian citizen wanted for attempted murder

BUFFALO, N.Y. — An Afghani national and Canadian citizen wanted in Ontario by law enforcement authorities for attempted murder and gun crimes was turned over to Canadian officials Thursday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Roohid Hakimi, 29, is accused of attempted murder, careless use of a firearm, possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes and unauthorized possession of a firearm. The charges stem from an alleged 2011 restaurant shooting in Vaughan, Ontario, that left one man injured.

Hakimi was originally arrested by U.S. Border Patrol in April 2011 for his role in an ecstasy distribution ring. In December 2011, he was placed in removal proceedings. While in proceedings, he was convicted federally in two separate cases stemming from his original 2011 arrest. The first conviction was in 2012 for unlawful entry; the second conviction occurred earlier this year for narcotics crimes. Both resulted in time-served sentences. He has been in federal custody since his arrest.

ERO officers escorted Hakimi to Buffalo's Peace Bridge Port of Entry Thursday, where he was turned over to Canadian law enforcement authorities without incident.

"Fugitives from justice will not find safe haven in the United States," said Michael Phillips, field office director of ERO Buffalo. "Mr. Hakimi has shown an egregious pattern of indifference to law enforcement and will now be held accountable for his alleged actions."

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 720 foreign fugitives from the United States who were being sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. ERO works with ICE's Office of International Affairs, foreign consular offices in the United States, and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country.