Arrests made in Owen Sound, Ont. homicide a year after owner killed in dine-and-dash attack

Nearly a year sincea popular restaurant owner from Owen Sound, Ont., was killed after a dispute over an unpaid dining bill, police say arrests have been made but will reveal little else to a community desperate for answers.

Sharif Rahman, 44, diedin a London hospitala week aftera dine-and-dash involving three male patrons turned violentoutsideThe Curry Housethe evening ofAug. 17, 2023. Police have since called it a homicide.

An employee, who was also injured and hospitalized, said Rahman followed the men outside when they didn't pay. That's when the restaurant ownerwas attacked.

OPP said Thursday that officers made arrests on July 30 but wouldnot say whether charges were laid, or how many people were picked up, citingthe "complexity" of the investigation.

"We recognize the significant impact this case has had on the community and we sincerely appreciate everyone's patience as we continue to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation," an OPP statement said.

The silence of police this past yearhas left much of the community feeling frustrated, and stricken by grief.

"Everybody has been questioning and asking whether this thing is ever going to be put to rest, butbecause the police were very silent about it, nobody knew too much about it," Sikander Umar, president of theMuslim Association of Owen Sound said.

"Everybody will be happy. At least justice will be served now."

CBC News was in Owen Sound in July, which sitson GeorgianBay's western shore,at the southern base of the Bruce Peninsula inGrey County, and met with multiple community members.The attack on Rahman has shaken people in the city of nearly 22,000 residentsthat's known for its small-town feel.

"It's been a difficult year," said Mark Barbosa,a local Realtor and friend of Sharif's family who organized an online fundraiser to help them.

"I think we as human, we need that closure to be able to process. So it's great that it looks like that may be happening now," Barbosa said Thursday.

Rahman opened The Curry House, which servesvegan Indian cuisine, on Second Avenue East in2015.

Sharif's widow,Shayela Nasrin, took on running the restaurant after her husband's death, all while raising their eight-year-old daughter.

One year is too long. There's a lot of people still frustrated that nothing has happened.- Don La Haye, Owen Sound resident

She told CBC News in July she felta sense ofhopelessness, but declined to speak further.

Anis Rahman, the victim's brother, says the death and ongoing investigation have weighed heavily on the family. He saidSharif made the decisions in their family and was providingfinancialsupport tohis mother and siblings in Bangladesh.

"I never forget him. I never remove him in my mind," said Anis, who dreams aboutSharif and visits his grave daily. He remembers his brother as someonewho was peaceful and reminded him to not take life too seriously, assuring him that"in the future, everything will be fine."

Mayor wants 'a resolution for the community'

OPP previously released grainy images of two men taking off on foot fromthe area, as well as images of asuspect vehicle.

CBC News spoke to business owners in the area around the Curry House, and each one said they have provided investigators with security footage from the night of theattack.

The incident has led to calls formore security cameras in the city's downtown with Owen Sound council approvinga three-year, $80,000 pilot project that would bring in17 new cameras. The city hopes to have them running by September, according toMayor Ian Boddy.

"Nobody wants a very popular business person or anybodydying as a result of violence in their street. It was a loss to everybody whoknew him, anda lossfor the community," Boddy said, rememberingSharif as always havinga smile on his face.

He'spleased with thenews of the arrestsand hopes it will give some closure to the family andthe community as a whole, but still encourages the public to be patient.

"The process still has to play through the court system," Boddy said. "The courts will determine the outcome."

Investigators continue to encourageanyone with tips to come forward to police or anonymously to Crime Stoppers, and said they'll provide updates "when they become available."

"People in this town didn't forget," saidDon La Haye, who lives downtown, just steps from The Curry House.

"It was devastating. He was loved,even for the people that weren't necessarily regulars there. He was friendly to everyone."