The owner of The Curry House in downtown Owen Sound has died following a brutal assault last week.
Sharif Rahman tragically passed away on the evening of August 24 after being on life support as a result of the injuries he sustained from the assault, his family and police have confirmed.
On August 17, Owen Sound Police Service say that Rahman was involved in a dispute with three male customers at his restaurant that night. Rahman was then viciously assaulted, and the three white males ran from the scene. Police say an employee of the restaurant was also injured. The incident was met with anger and disbelief from Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy and the entire downtown community.
Police later released descriptions and photos of the suspects believed to be involved, as well as a suspect vehicle.
The suspects are described as follows:
Male, Caucasian, between 5'10" to 6'2" tall, with a medium build, short dark hair, wearing a light blue t-shirt, black shorts and black running shoes, mid-twenties to mid-thirties in age.
Male, Caucasian, between 5'10" to 6'2" tall, with a medium build, short brown hair that is longer on top, wearing an orange t-shirt, black shorts and black running shoes, mid-twenties to mid-thirties in age.
Male, Caucasian, with curly hair wearing shorts and a t-shirt, late forties to mid-fifties in age.
A vigil was held in the area where the attack occurred on August 23, with roughly 800 people in attendance to show support for Rahman and the family.
Rahman had come to Canada from Bangladesh in 2015. On the night of the assault, police say he was simply trying to close up his restaurant for the night, and had asked the three males who committed the assault to settle their bills.
Owen Sound Police Service notes that many citizens and vehicles were in the area of The Curry House, around 2nd Avenue East at 10th Street East and 2nd Avenue East at 9th Street East, when the assault took place and the suspects were running away.
Police are encouraging anyone who may have any cellphone, dash-cam or other footage, from 8:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. on August 17, or any relevant information, to immediately contact Owen Sound Police Service at 519-376-1234 or Crime Stoppers.
The City of Owen Sound and Mayor Ian Body have released the following statement:
The City has learned of the passing of a valued community member, Sharif Rahman. City Council and staff, together with the community, mourn this tragic loss.
“On behalf of my Council colleagues and City staff, I offer my sincere condolences to Sharif’s wife Shayela, his children, to the Rahmans’ extended family members and friends, and to our entire community,” said Mayor Ian Boddy. “Sharif was an exceptional member of our community, who dedicated his time to City and County Committees, as well as a successful entrepreneur, and a devoted family man. His passing is a tragic loss for our community and it is a time to come together with compassion and support. Let us all reflect on Sharif’s kindness and his love of the community by treating everyone with the same generosity he embodied.”
Flags at City facilities will be lowered to half-mast from Friday, August 25 at noon until Monday, August 28 at noon.
Friday’s Music at the Market has been cancelled.
In speaking with CKNXNewsToday.ca, an evidently shaken Mayor Boddy says the whole situation is shocking, heartbreaking, and unfair.
"Being a downtown business merchant, trying to run his business, to be attacked like this is so upsetting. Anyone who knew Mr. Rahman personally, he was so gentle, so kind, always positive. He loved his community, he did different charitable things and so much to support his community. And that is what hurts the most, is he was just loved by everybody," Boddy solemnly stated.
Boddy adds that, he wants the entire community to come together and take an important lesson from this.
"First thing, let's be like Sharif, let's find the positive, let's find the warmth, let's be kind to one another in the community and share that love for community and each other. Let's focus on that for the next couple of days here. Then, let's let the police continue to pursue this and do the work they have to do to bring justice," Boddy added.
A GoFundMe page has been established for Rahman's family. At the time of writing, it has over $140,000 raised. You can contribute here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-sharifs-family?mibextid=Zxz2cZ