An upcoming extradition hearing in Scotland for the individuals charged in the August 2023 death of a restaurant owner in southwestern Ontario has prompted a recent discovery by a CBC News investigation.
Through access granted to Scottish court files, CBC uncovered new images of the three suspects involved in the killing of Sharif Rahman in Owen Sound. These images were sourced from social media profiles identified using information provided by Canadian law enforcement in affidavits.
Prior to this revelation, the only available visuals of the accused individuals in connection to Rahman’s death were low-quality police handout photos. These images depicted two individuals, one in a blue T-shirt and the other in orange, seen running along the main street of Owen Sound in footage captured by a security camera. Additionally, a photo of a grey Ford Escape, identified as their escape vehicle, was also included.
In December 2024, authorities announced the arrest of three individuals in Edinburgh, with limited details provided other than their names and ages. The accused — Robert Evans, 25, facing a manslaughter charge, along with his father, Robert Busby Evans, 47, and uncle Barry Evans, 54, charged as accessories after the fact — are currently detained in Scotland awaiting the extradition hearing scheduled for October 20th at the request of Canada.
The investigation by CBC News utilized social media profiles to uncover additional photos of the accused trio, confirming their identities through geolocation, family connections, and shared details such as birthdays and vacations.
These newly discovered images complement existing information regarding the individuals, shedding light on their activities during their time in Canada and their return to the U.K., as detailed by law enforcement.
As of now, none of the accused have entered a plea, and the allegations against them have yet to be tested in court. Despite attempts to reach out to their legal representatives and families, CBC News did not receive any responses.
Severe Injury outside Restaurant
Rahman’s tragic demise at a hospital in London, Ont., occurred a week after he was found unconscious and severely injured outside his restaurant, The Curry House, following an altercation with a group of diners allegedly attempting to evade payment of a bill.
According to police accounts, Robert Evans Jr. is alleged to have struck Rahman, causing him to fall and sustain fatal injuries. Witness statements described the impact as reminiscent of a bowling ball hitting the pavement.
Barry Evans, the uncle, is accused of aiding Evans Jr. by instructing him to flee and subsequently driving him to Collingwood, an hour away. Robert Evans Sr., who was not present at the scene, faces accessory charges for allegedly facilitating his son’s escape by purchasing an airline ticket and arranging transportation to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.
Authorities reported that Evans Jr. departed on a flight to Heathrow airport on August 18, 2023, the day following the incident in Owen Sound. On the same evening, the uncle and another family member, present at The Curry House but not charged, flew to Glasgow. Evans Sr. followed suit a few days later, traveling to Manchester.
Entry into Canada
As per Scottish court records, Evans Jr. and Sr. entered Canada as visitors in early June 2023, utilizing valid U.K. passports under false names — Michael and Justin Jones.
Although lacking work visas, the Evans family reportedly spent the summer operating a cash-only business named Total Paving, traversing the province during their stay. The court documents identified the family