Downtown Dartmouth community raises thousands for convenience store owners after attack
Neighbours are rallying around the owners of a convenience store in downtown Dartmouth, N.S., after they were attacked last week. The couple says they’ve also been the target of racist comments and robberies.
Customers dropped by Jake’s Variety on Portland Street on Wednesday with gifts for the owners, instead of coming in to do their usual shopping.
They say it came as a shock when the owner, Kamil Safatli, was attacked outside his shop last Thursday.
“The guy came from behind me and ask me to steal my money. I want my money, so I ignore him, and I kept finishing my stuff,” says Kamil. “Then, he came behind me and hit me back of my head and start punching me on my face.”
As the attack, which was captured on security video, continued, Kamil yelled for help and his wife Silva rushed outside.
“I pulled at his neck and kept going and going. There was people around us, they weren't helping,” says Silva. “I know they were scared, but I was the only one trying to drag the guy off of him, but he was really heavy and really built up.”
Kamil was treated in hospital for facial and head injuries.
Police say they have charged a man in his 50s with assault.
The Safatlis have been feeling increasingly unsafe after several robberies and say they have also been the target of racial slurs.
“Some of them accusing us, saying, 'Go back to your country, you're not welcome here. We're Canadian, you're not,' but I’ve been here and living here for 35 years now,” says Silva. “I'm a Canadian fully and I work for this country and contribute for this country.”
The local community has been rallying behind the couple with comfort and support.
“They are such kind, loving people and they provide such an essential service for so many people in this neighbourhood, they really do,” says customer Jane MacDougald. “There are a lot of people that rely on this place for their groceries.”
Community members have also set up an online fundraiser for Kamil and his family, which has raised more than $7,000 since the attack.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.