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
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck
Tesla is recalling 3,878 of its 2024 Cybertrucks after it discovered that the accelerator pedal can become stuck, potentially causing the vehicle to accelerate unintentionally and increase the risk of a crash.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
A couple lost their wedding rings during the ceremony. Two strangers found a fitting solution
Every good wedding has to have one teensy, tiny crisis.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.