Hundreds line streets for funeral of Sharif Rahman, Owen Sound restaurant owner killed over unpaid dining bill

People in Owen Sound, Ont., lined city streets to pay respects to Sharif Rahman on Sunday as his funeral was held, 10 days after the restaurant owner and community volunteer was beaten outside his business in what police say was a dispute over an unpaid dining bill.

Rahman, 44, died Thursday after spending time on life-support in a London, Ont., hospital. According to Owen Sound police, he was attacked by three male patrons who visited his restaurant, The Curry House, on Aug. 17.

His death is now considered a homicide, police said Friday. Investigators are still searching for three white male suspects.

Among those standing Sunday in the show of solidarity was Martha Tettenborn, who said she and her husband first learned of Rahman when they read about his charity work. 

"The generosity of this man was part of what made us say, 'Oh, we need to go check out this restaurant and we have to support this business,'" Tettenborn said. 

Rahman was born in Bangladesh. He was active throughout the Owen Sound community he came to call home. He sat on city committees and was involved with the local YMCA, according to Tettenborn. 

Tettenborn said more than 800 people attended a quiet vigil for Rahman earlier last week. 

Mayor calls Rehman a kind, loving person

Vajahat Banday, who had known Rahman for years, said he initially struggled to make his business profitable. 

"Finally when he started establishing his business … and he started to make a living in Canada, and then this suddenly happens," Banday said.

Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy said Rahman was a gentle, kind and loving person. 

He said Rahman would cook food to help raise money for different causes. 

"[He was] very, very active in the community. But quietly, he's not a guy that drew a lot of attention to himself — very much a family man," Boddy said.

A GoFundMe campaign created for Rahman's family has so far raised around $250,000, it's original goal was $25,000.

WATCH | Sharif Rahman remembered for his dedication to the community:

Restaurant owner who died after assault remembered fondly by Ontario community

1 year ago

Duration 1:57

Sharif Rahman, the 44-year-old owner of an Owen Sound, Ont., restaurant who died a week after being attacked by three patrons, was remembered by friends and community members as a generous and humble person. Police say Rahman's death is being investigated as a homicide.

Police looking for suspects

On Thursday, police released images of two suspects and a vehicle — they were seen leaving the scene of the beating incident. The suspects ran southbound on 2nd Avenue East toward 9th Street, where they continued eastbound on 9th Street East, police said. 

The two suspects are believed to be in their mid-20s to mid-30s, police said.

They described the first suspect as:

• White, between 5-foot-10 and 6-foot-2, with a medium build and short, dark hair. He was wearing a light blue T-shirt, black shorts and black running shoes at the time of the attack. 

The second suspect is described as:

• White, between 5-foot-10 and 6-foot-2, with a medium build and short, brown hair that's longer on the top. He was wearing an orange T-shirt, black shorts and black running shoes.

The third suspect is described as:

• White, with curly hair, wearing shorts and a T-shirt, and likely in his late 40s to mid-50s.

Police said the vehicle in question appears grey or blue, and is an early 2000s model Ford Escape or Mazda Tribute.