Family of slain Nanaimo man say he was likely trying to help attacker
Family members of a Nanaimo man killed in what police call a tragic random murder say they believe their loved one was trying to help his attacker.
Eric Kutzner, 79, was murdered on Saturday morning in a brazen daylight attack at a Nanaimo coffee shop, according to police.
Kutzner's family says he arrived at the coffee shop early on Saturday to start baking and prepare to open the shop.
They suspect his kind nature likely had him invite his alleged killer inside.
"Knowing my grandpa, if this guy looked like he needed help he probably would have brought him in and made him coffee," said Kutzner's grandson, Phil Baker.
Baker worked alongside Kutzner at the family-run business, and awoke on Saturday to calls from staff saying they saw an unknown man in the business.
His staff quickly called police around 9 a.m.
"They said someone was in there with him. I don't know why anyone would be, aside from what happened," said Baker.
Baker says RCMP investigators have kept many details of what happened hidden, but confirms that what happened inside was tragic.
"I don't necessarily want all the answers," he said.
"The coroner said that there was no suffering."
On Wednesday, Kutzner's family identified him as the victim and gave details about his charitable past.
The senior was well known for helping people with disabilities and also acted as a seniors' housing advocate in Nanaimo.
In 2018, he received a Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers award for his work on a Creston, B.C., farm which employed disabled workers.
Nanaimo RCMP arrested a 29-year-old man at the scene on Saturday morning.
He has since been charged with second degree murder and remains in police custody.
Baker says his family and the coffee shop staff have been overwhelmed by the support the Nanaimo community has given them in this difficult time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6944598.1719577885!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Debate-watchers in the Biden and Trump camps seem to agree on something. Biden had a bad night
'Oh, Joe.' That gasp, from patrons at a Chicago bar when U.S. President Joe Biden first stumbled verbally in his debate with Donald Trump, spoke for a lot of Americans on Thursday night.
BREAKING Ontario MPP removed from PC caucus over 'serious lapses in judgment'
Premier Doug Ford has removed a member of his caucus due to what he’s describing as 'serious lapses in judgment.' In a statement released Friday morning, the premier’s office said MPP Goldie Ghamari had been removed from the Progressive Conservative caucus 'effective immediately.'
Buying a car? Why you may have to pay more at some dealers if you use cash
It used to be cash was king and that you could get a better deal if you paid for a car in full, but now many dealers want you to finance your purchase so they can make more money.
What is going on with immigration in Canada? Here's what the data shows
Canada has welcomed more than 3.9 million new citizens since 2005, with nearly one third coming from India, the Philippines or China, according to a CTVNews.ca analysis.
Pope's top adviser, women who say they were abused by ex-Jesuit artist ask for mosaics to be removed
The scandal over a famous ex-Jesuit artist who is accused of psychologically, spiritually and sexually abusing adult women came to a head Friday after some of his alleged victims and the pope’s own anti-abuse adviser asked for his artworks not to be promoted or displayed.
Economy grew 0.3% in April, Statistics Canada reports
Statistics Canada says real gross domestic product grew 0.3 per cent in April, helped by strength in several industries including wholesale trade, mining and oil and gas extraction and manufacturing.
Liberal caucus staying quiet after major byelection defeat that rattled party
Liberal campaign co-chair Terry Duguid insisted Thursday that his caucus is united behind Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, even as the majority of elected Liberals remain silent on the prime minister's political future.
NEW Car thieves tried accessing Ontario transportation ministry database
One of Canada's largest police forces has knowledge of car thieves attempting to breach Ontario's Ministry of Transportation database, CTV News has learned.
Debate takeaways: Trump confident, even when wrong, Biden halting, even with facts on his side
Thursday’s U.S. presidential debate was a re-run that featured two candidates with a combined age of 159, but it went especially poorly for one of them, President Joe Biden.