Hundreds attend vigil for Owen Sound man violently attacked outside his restaurant
Hundreds of people attended a vigil in Owen Sound Wednesday night to support a beloved restaurant owner who was left clinging to life after a brutal assault last week.
Roughly 800 people gathered through the downtown area for the walking vigil for 44-year-old Sharif Rahman, who remains in critical condition in a London, Ont. hospital.An undated image of Sharif Rahman, owner of The Curry House in Owen Sound. As of August 22, 2023, he is in critical condition following an assault at his restaurant on August 17. (Source: Facebook)
Police say Rahman, who moved to Owen Sound from Bangladesh in 2015, was trying to close his restaurant on the night of Aug. 17 and asked three patrons to settle their bill.
Police say Rahman and his nephew were attacked outside the establishment on 900 block of 2nd Avenue East by the three men, who then fled the scene.
The hunt for the suspects is ongoing.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Meanwhile, the makeshift memorial filled with flowers in front of The Curry House restaurant continues to grow, along with financial donations to the GoFundMe campaign, which had raised more than $117,000 at the time of this article, to cover medical bills, support the restaurant in Sharif's absence, and assist the family.
Another community event, 'Drumming for Sharif,' is scheduled for Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Owen Sound Farmers' Market.Cards and flowers are seen outside The Curry House in Owen Sound on August 22, 2023, after its owner, Sharif Rahman, was assaulted at his restaurant on August 17. He’s in critical condition. Some of the notes posted read “We are so sorry this happened to you. We love your restaurant,” and “Your community loves you.” (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
SUSPECT DESCRIPTIONS
Police are looking to identify the suspects, described as three Caucasian men.
The first man is five feet 10 inches to six feet two inches tall with a medium build and short dark hair. He wore a light blue T-shirt, black shorts and black running shoes.
The second is five feet 10 inches to six feet two inches tall with a medium build and short dark hair, which is longer on top. He wore an orange T-shirt, black shorts and black running shoes.
Both are believed to be in their mid-20s to mid-30s.
Police say the third suspect has curly hair and wore shorts and a T-shirt. He is believed to be in his late 40s to mid-50s.
Police release images of two men accused in a violent assault on Aug. 17, 2023, in Owen Sound, Ont., and the suspect vehicle. (Source: Owen Sound Police)
Detectives say video from the evening shows citizens and vehicles in the area of 2nd Avenue East at 10th Street East and 2nd Avenue East at 9th Street East when the incident occurred and when the suspects were fleeing.
They encourage witnesses or anyone with video or dash cam footage of the area from 8 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. to contact police at 519-376-1234 or via email.
Alternatively, tips can be provided anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
With files from CTV's Scott Miller
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard found not guilty of sexual assault
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago. The former Hedley frontman had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.
Police arrest Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'
Missing B.C. climber died from fall on Mount Baker, medical examiner says
The body of a British Columbia mountain climber has been located and recovered after the 39-year-old man was reported missing during a solo climb on Washington state's Mount Baker earlier this week.
Following child's death in Ontario, here's what you need to know about rabies and bats
An Ontario child died last month after coming into contact with a rabid bat in their bedroom, which was the first known human rabies case in Canada since 2019.
A French judge in a shocking rape case allows the public to see some of the video evidence
A French judge in the trial of dozens of men accused of raping an unconscious woman whose now former husband had repeatedly drugged her so that he and others could assault her decided on Friday to allow the public to see some of the video recordings of the alleged rapes.
Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters sentenced to 9 years for voting data scheme
A judge ripped into a Colorado county clerk for her crimes and lies before sentencing her Thursday to nine years behind bars for a data-breach scheme spawned from the rampant false claims about voting machine fraud in the 2020 presidential race.
Anne Hathaway confirms 'Princess Diaries 3': 'Miracles happen'
You might be thinking, 'Shut up!' but it’s officially true: the 'Princess Diaries' franchise is finally growing.
Youth pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of P.E.I. teen Tyson MacDonald
A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
Sask. man pleads guilty in U.S. after unknowingly providing videos of men raping toddlers to FBI agent
A Saskatchewan man living in the United States has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography after he unknowingly provided disturbing videos to an FBI agent he thought was a pedophile.