Three men from the United Kingdom have been charged in connection with the death of an Owen Sound, Ont. restaurant owner who was assaulted last year.
On Wednesday, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Owen Sound Police Service provided an update into the homicide of 44-year-old Sharifur Rahman.
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Investigators have said the Aug. 17, 2023, incident began when three men who were asked to pay their bill sparked a “dispute.” Later, the men allegedly assaulted Rahman and his nephew on the sidewalk outside the downtown restaurant located on 2nd Avenue East.
Rahman sustained critical injuries and died in the hospital a week later.
During the course of their investigation, police learned the people responsible had left the country, prompting them to ask for help from their international counterparts.
Police had initially announced in August that arrests had been made in the case but did not provide details, citing the complexity of the investigation, including its international element.
During Wednesday’s update, investigators identified the suspects as 24-year-old Robert Evans, 47-year-old Robert Busby Evans, and 54-year-old Barry Evans.
The 24-year-old has been charged with manslaughter, while the other two are facing a charge of accessory after the fact to commit an indictable offence.
“The individuals are currently in the U.K. and are before the courts in relation to extradition. There are no timelines available for the extradition of the accused individuals,” police said.
When asked how the three suspects are related, OPP spokesperson Agata Czajkowski said in an emailed response to CP24 that investigators cannot divulge that information, saying it is part of the ongoing investigation and “may negatively impact the extradition process.”
“We acknowledge the significant impact this case has had on the community and sincerely appreciate everyone’s patience as we continue our thorough and comprehensive investigation,” police said on Wednesday.