A 23-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death while trying to protect his cousin during a violent altercation outside a Tim Hortons in Oshawa, according to family members.
In an interview with CTV News on Friday, Abel Mohammadi recounted the events of May 9. He and his cousin, identified by family as Emran Yousufi, were inside the coffee shop at Simcoe St. N. and Winchester Rd. when a group of masked individuals entered playing loud music around 8 p.m.
Altercation Escalates Quickly
Mohammadi stated that members of the group allegedly wanted him to step outside, and he agreed. Moments later, violence erupted. “The first punch of the fight was to me, and that was to my nose,” Mohammadi told CTV News. “It automatically started bleeding.”
Ali Abdullah, a friend of Yousufi who also spoke to CTV News, claimed one member of the other group pulled out a baton from a fanny pack and attempted to strike Mohammadi. “There were like five, six of them, I believe,” Abdullah recalled, adding that they tried to gang up on Mohammadi, prompting the cousins to fight back.
Fatal Stabbing
During the struggle, one individual suddenly pulled out a knife and stabbed Yousufi, Abdullah alleged. Durham Regional Police reported that officers responded to the altercation and found the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Several males had fled the Tim Hortons by the time police arrived.
A 16-year-old boy from Brampton was subsequently identified as a suspect and turned himself in two days after the deadly incident. The teen, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is charged with second-degree murder.
Cousin's Account
Mohammadi told CTV News that his cousin did not know anyone in the other group. “They were trying to come after me and my cousin stepped up, he stepped up, he tried to protect me,” Mohammadi said.
Mohammadi and Abdullah described Yousufi as the youngest of four siblings. His family, devastated by his death, immigrated to Canada from Afghanistan about a year ago. Yousufi had planned to become an electrical engineer. “The dreams that he had have all been taken away,” Abdullah said. “It was just one stupid mistake.”
Yousufi is Durham Region's third murder victim of the year. Police urge anyone with information or video to call 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5418, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
