Three men pleaded guilty on Friday morning in connection with the death of Owen Sound restaurant owner Sharif Rahman, who was fatally assaulted in August 2023. The pleas were entered in a Canadian court, bringing a measure of closure to a case that had drawn significant community attention.
Guilty Pleas and Charges
Robert Evans Jr., 25, also known as Michael Jones, pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 10. His father, Robert Busby Evans, 49, who also goes by Justin Jones, and his uncle, Barry Evans, 55, both pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact. They are expected to be sentenced later on Friday.
The Incident
Rahman, a 44-year-old married father and owner of The Curry House in downtown Owen Sound, was assaulted outside his restaurant on August 17, 2023, following a dispute over a bill. He succumbed to his injuries a week later at a hospital in London, Ontario.
Victim's Background and Community Response
Rahman grew up in Bangladesh, where he studied economics before earning a master's degree in international development at the University of Glasgow. He moved to Canada in 2013 and purchased The Curry House in 2015. He became deeply involved in the community, organizing fundraisers and serving on city and county committees. Posthumously, he was awarded the 2023 YMCA Peace Medal for his contributions to peace-building.
As Rahman fought for his life, the community rallied in support. A fundraising drive quickly surpassed its goal, and a quiet walking vigil through the downtown River District drew hundreds of participants. A drumming circle event at the farmers' market turned into a memorial upon news of his death. On August 27, 2023, people lined the route of his police-led funeral procession from the Owen Sound Muslim Association to Greenwood Cemetery, and hundreds later walked silently through downtown in solidarity.
Arrests and Extradition
Nearly a year later, on August 15, 2024, police announced arrests in the case, though details were initially withheld to protect the investigation. In December 2024, police revealed that Robert Evans Jr. had been charged with manslaughter in July, and his father and uncle had been charged with accessory after the fact. The three were in the United Kingdom and underwent extradition proceedings, consenting in Edinburgh Sheriff Court in October 2025 to face trial in Canada.
