Good Samaritan dies after pumpkin-theft beating

A 57-year-old Gatineau man who was beaten after he attempted to stop the theft of a pumpkin has died. Police have charged a 19-year-old male with assault causing bodily harm earlier this month, and it is not known if the charges will be upgraded.

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A 57-year-old man is in hospital after trying to stop a young man from stealing a pumpkin outside of this grocery store in Gatineau, Que.

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CTVNews.ca Staff

Date: Fri. Oct. 7 2011 9:22 AM ET

A man has died after trying to prevent thieves from stealing a pumpkin from an Ottawa-area grocery store.

On Sept. 29 a man was on a bicycle ride with his wife when he spotted two teens taking a pumpkin from the outdoor display at an IGA store in Gatineau, Que.

The man tried to intervene, asking one of the men to put the pumpkin back, and was allegedly attacked. He suffered serious head injuries as a result.

Lt. Steve Dessureault, of the Gatineau Police, confirmed Thursday night the man had died in hospital. He had been listed in critical condition for the past week.

A 19-year-old man had been charged with assault causing bodily harm in relation to the incident.

Those charges may be upgraded now that the Good Samaritan has died.

The victim and suspect have not been identified by police.

With files from CTV Ottawa

Comments are now closed for this story

JP
said

Ah, my last post should have read as: "One good person lost, two criminals gained?"

Andrew
said

I think swarmings (assaults involving more than 1 instigator) should all be treated as an attempted murder no matter what the outcome. An assault involving more than 1 person can easily lead to a fatality (as this case proves). The youth have been raised on images of people being able to withstand the beatings of many people; when in reality this is not the case. It is time for Canadian Laws to recognize the severity of these types of assaults.

Marc in Gatineau
said

I think that situations like these should have maximum penalties imposed, and for the biggest charge that can be leveled against the perpetrator. In this instance, I don't think manslaughter would be too much of a stretch, as death resulted from the actions taken, although there was no intent to kil but there was the intent to harm or, at the very least, intimidate through physical force. There is no longer any respect for the property of others, be they individuals or businesses. What happened here was that this young man thought it would be fun to steal this pumpkin to smash it so he could look cool to all his friends, but when someone called him on it and told him to put it back he had to do something to save face and protect his "coolness" so he assaulted this poor man. Now this poor man is dead, his wife a widow and his children orphans.How cool does this young man feel now?Sadly, I'm sure that the only thing he regrets is the fact that he got caught and that he might now be facing manslaughter charges. I am convinced that he doesn't feel any remorse for his assault on this poor man, and certainly none for having stolen the pumpkin in the first place, which precipitated this whole series of events.Very sad indeed and my thoughts are with the victim's family and friends. As for the perpetrator, as far as I am concerned he should spend the rest of his days in the darkest, dankest hole they could find!

carie bayes
said

I see both sides in this argument, it was just a pumpkin but discouraging "good Samaritans" does have larger implications for society and society as a whole does benefit from their generous and selfless acts.My question is what is IGA as a company going to do for this poor man's family to show they appreciate a member of the public defending their property without being asked to do so?

peter
said

i remember when i stopped a guy from stealing a water bottle from a store. the guy was charged and i end up going to court 3 times over this in the end he got case dismissed. . from now on i do not care what any one steals as long as it is not mine. the guy on the bycycle should have kept going.

DontBeApathetic
said

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke

croche
said

JP - Are you serious? Let each of us as an individual settle disagreements with a GUN! Thank GOD that we live in a nation who does NOT believe in the right to carry weapons! Peace will never be found by carrying a GUN!

cooksontrains
said

Lets hope the judge gives an appropriate sentence...Life with no possisbility of parole is a good start.And,make em eat raw pumpkin daily for all of those years!I don"t want people like that in society.

Doug ^^^ BC
said

While not disagreeing with all of what "oh dear" had to say,you're forgetting about the waste of the life of the "good samaritan".I'd place the value of one person like him higher than the value of a dozen,or even a hundred dumb a** kids with no respect for the law,or the rights of their fellow citzens. Yes.There is a risk in getting involved,and one that police are quick to point out.But when we all sit around,see wrong,and do nothing,the criminals have won.We're not all equipped to intervene physically,and it's not something that we should assume is our responisbility.But standing around like you approve of theft is an equally poor choice.At the very least,pay altention as the crime unfolds.Take a cell phone pic if you can.Be part of the solution,even if you can't stop the crime. For my part,I agree with the law in some states in the USA,where it states that "if a peson is killed during the commission of a felony",all the people involced in the commission of the crime are guilty of murder". A little tough,maybe.But it could be a good place to start as we look to stop these senseless killings of innocent,and law abiding citzens who want nothing more than to take their cities and communities from criminals who get off with few consequences at all. Condolances and best wishes to the friends and families of this victim of murder,and may he rest in peace.

becky of Calgary
said

I am so glad my kids were raised during 60s..Today there is no control - kids have all the rights.

JP
said

If we let good Samaritans carry personal protection in the form of handguns, this never would have happened. Firstly, crime goes down when punks know that good people are packing heat; second, this fellow could have protected himself from these punks with the force required to prevent his death. Good, moral people should NOT have to live at the moral standard of punk criminals. Punk criminals should have to live to the moral standard of good people. Thus, good people should be permitted the means to defend themselves, and the good.

mushroom
said

Although some have mentioned that it may not have been the best choice to address the Quebec pumpkin thieves, I notice this year there are many different kinds of pumpkins. Even white pumpkins, I am not sure how they grow that type. Also if they had bicycles it would be hard for the teens to take a big pumpkin, only a littler one. Sometimes people need a lot of pumpkins if they carve them and make a mistake they need some more. Haloween is just arounfd the corner, and lots of pumpkins are needed for that holiday. No to mention pumpkin pie, which people eat at Thanksgiving.

Patricia Shapiro
said

If this was not totally tragic, it would be absurd! To loose one's life for the theft of a non-edible pumpkin worth what? maybe $2. or $3. ???

Sid in MTL
said

I hope that punk does time for 2nd degree murder, but that's hardly justice for taking a life. A life is lost over the theft of a $2.50 pumpkin, but it's not about the pumpkin, its all about a law-biding citizen paying the ultimate price for doing the right thing. My condolences to the victim's family.

C - in Mississauga
said

Seriously, folks? Blaming the victim? Really? As if he knew telling some idiot punk to return a $2 pumpkin would upset the unstable kid enough to beat him to death? Get a grip and stop justifying the actions of this criminal.

EsDiabloEsStonecold
said

For you meatheads that say "well it was just a pumpkin...not worth dying for"..well how bout this ..Lets say i see someone committing a violation on your child do you really want me to take the time to call the police and let your child wait 15 to 30 mins for them to respond or would you prefer i start beating the daylights outta the s.o.b. that is hurting your child??.... Not all cut and dried is it???.......

harlo macdonald
said

the guy should have stayed on his byke and kept going. it was only a pumpkin that the kids took,something like that is not worth bothering about.

Ben
said

I'm surprised, and not so much by the comments this story has generated. Just a pumpkin? How about a principle of what is right and what is wrong? The kids' reaction to the man who intervened was normal? I don't buy that. They probably had the "it's just a pumpkin" mentality too, they were stealing, they knew it, and then somebody with a shred of morality tried to stop them and paid for it. Did they mean to kill him? Obviously not, but he's dead just the same, and his family is without him, just the same. This is nothing the law can help us with. We need to take responsibility for dealing with this stuff. These kids probably expected to get away with it because far to many people are passive about these things. I can only hope that if I see something like this go down that I follow the example of someone who isn't willing to let that go.

Ryan Sales
said

Very very sad day. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the man, who was obviously simply trying to do what was right.

rick
said

If the teenager had not left the store property, including the confines of the parking lot, it is not theft. Maybe the kid was only taking it to his car or other vehicle first as a conenience and had full intention of paying when his shopping was completed in the store. Let's get all the facts first.

J.C.
said

Just a pumpkin eh? Well the truth of the matter is that millions of dollars are stolen from retailers on a steady basis because some people think it is "just a pumpkin". These thefts add many dollars to the cost of products.This man stood up for what was right and those thugs had no right to get violent because he told them to put it back. Society needs to start standing up to this kind of behaviour or it will continuously get worse!! Condolences to this brave soul's family!!

Shelley Bartlett
said

- I can't believe that Anyone on here is actually mentioning the word "pumpkin" at-all. - What the items were doesn't matter. - The man was Obviously a good & caring man and he was just trying to help and it cost him his Life FOREVER in front of his Wife. - If we All let the World keep changing like this (-worse&worse&worse&worse-) then these "cases" will get Worse & Worse to where you'll be being beaten-to-death and -there'll be ten of us standing around afraid & busy calling-for-help. - I guess it's Already like that now. - Once no-one no-longer steps-up or "in" - then it's a-long-wait (-while-you-or-I-may-be-being-beaten-to-death-) for the Police to arrive. - The man doesn't deserve Anyone mentioning "pumpkin" here Any-further -as- it's not about that in-the-End. -

dreamer4darkness
said

Involuntary Manslaughter. I hope they're charged, or the justice system has failed. Poor fellow. My condolences to the family of such a brave man.

Corey
said

The fact that this started as a pumpkin theft may make it sound like a silly mishap, but it's actually a very disturbing incident. A 19-year-old should be far too grown up to amuse himself by stealing pumpkins in the first place - it's a stunt more suited to 12-year-olds. And to assault someone who catches him instead of just running away is a sign of a profoundly disturbed and dangerous mentality. As far as I'm concerned, this dangerous nut should never see the light of day again.

Swarley
said

If you see someone stealing something and it isn't yours; don't get involved, or this could happen to you. Seriously, just don't get involved.

NS
said

To Mark, and Matt, and the rest who are blaming the victim. How much is okay to steal before a member of the public should intervene? How much can a person get beat up before it is okay to intervene? How much can a young lady be sexually assaulted before you intervene? I think you are cowards to even suggest this good member of society who was trying to uphold our societies beliefs could be to blame. The teens have no respect for the lives of others, as shown in their actions, so they should have no respect shown to them. If they are first time offenders, some leniency, Max penalty to these out of control teens if they are repeat offenders.

AndyInNB
said

This poor man was simply sticking up for what was right. He did not lay his hand on the kids, and they had no reason to lay their hands on him. They had every intention of hurting him, and they didn't give a s*** what happened to him. Now an innocent man is dead. These kids should be charged with a MINIMUM of manslaughter, but in myopinion that is not enough. Murder would be a better charge. Kids in today's society have NO respect for anyone. If I so much as talked back to my parents as a child, I was punished. Now kids rule the household. Parents have no jurisdiction over their kids. It is a shame what our society has become, and no one is to blame except for politicians, religious organizations, and the legal system.

Chris, Alberta
said

This can happen anytime and has happened before. But for all those armchair quarter-backs who say people should think differently about getting involved. I very much doubt the man thought this would happen and he was doing what most caring citizens would do to stop a petty theft. "Don't get involved" may seem smart after-the-fact but if we totally give up responsibility for our community, friends, neighbors and even strangers in need of help this will become a very very unpleasant society. This is very tragic news - the good samaritan is really one of the unsung heroes who step forward when they see something that isn't right. He paid an unacceptable price for doing the right thing. Let's not give up on our communities because of this incident.

tim
said

For all those people here who are implying the victim is somehow partially responsible because he spoke up, give your head a shake from this twisted thinking. I'm sure this good man didn't know the incident would result in his death. If he did, he wouldn't have intervened. So no more comments like: "is a pumpkin worth a life?; he should of let them have it". he did the right thing, he didn't know these idiots would go beat him to death for a comment. These killers are 100% at fault, and deserve full punishment.

John In London
said

Ah! Tom the kids were not fighting back because they were attacked, they attacked the man who dared tell them to return stolen property. They were completely the cause of the whole altercation. This is defiantly manslaughter or reckless homicide if we have that in Canada. My condolences to the victims family

dante
said

No disrespect but it was not the good guys duty to try to stop the thief. A missing element in this story is common sense. Even in store policies it is imperative to call for help not intervene as an employee. The question here is where were the stores security people? I have worked security and even then officers are not to approach potential violent subjects on their own. If you have time to stop and confront somebody you have a lot more time to get an accurate description of the subject and then you may be preventing further crime. Trust me the police usually know the perp by the description. Yes I know that you are thinking then the perp will just face a theft charge. but you would be alive today.

Hands tied against teens.
said

As a single parent, I totally admit I have no control over my teen. All he has to do is say, shove it Dad, Mom let's me do it, and I have no recourse. A misbehaving teen has more rights that a parent trying to keep their kids on the straight and narrow. We all know their brains are still developing and they do not have all of the tools to make adult decisions, yet our society has taken away forms of punishment from parents and teachers. I got the strap when I misbehaved in school, and their are no long term effects, I am productive member of of society, and glad I was punished when needed.These teens need to be punished, for murder. Our society has no other level of punishment for teens, and an example has to be made.

Martin in Aylmer
said

I live in Aylmer and it's nice neighbourhoods pretty much all around. These kids were just being idiots. Unfortunately, it went way too far. That's why police will tell you: DO NOT GET INVOLVED.. PHONE THE POLICE. I can see why now. Sigh... very very sad. Guarantee that kid is freaking out right now. Hey, we were all boys doing stupid things. And yeah, shrink (as the stores call it) is factored in. What a waste. I feel terrible for the man who died and the man who died. But did the kids savagely attack him?

realist
said

@Mark: you're right - one stolen pumpkin would not have bankrupted the store. But if everyone stole just one thing worth only a few dollars - guess what would happen? In the end, the value of the object stolen is irrelevant. Besides, how was this man to know that he would DIE for asking the guy to put the pumpkin back? I for one am so proud that there are still people out there who will look beyond their own little world and step in when a wrong has been commited against someone else - despite whether or not YOU think it's a significant issue or not. I am so sorry this good man had to lose his life - and I hope the scum that took it drops the soap in jail every day for the rest of his life.

Scott
said

Let the bleeding hearts start. Why is it that people don't realize it is the thief that attaches the value of his life and not society. Steal for peanuts and that is what your life should be worth. the last thing we should spend on this POS is some piano wire and an ad in the local paper stating when justice will be served.

Tom
said

With no disrespect for the man who lost his life. There is no way in the world that this will be a murder charge. These kids weren't out looking for this guy. It's a natural instinct to fight back if your being attacked. These kids had no intention on killing anyone they were busy stealing a pumpkin. The charge at the maximum will be manslaughter.

Andrew
said

Gerald, you're right of course. In retrospect it would have been better for everyone involved if he had just kept his mouth shut or phoned the Police instead. I suspect that people have been "stealing pumpkins" and generally getting up to minor mischief throughout history. That much is not particularly unusual. What is unusual is that youths "stealing pumpkins" seem to not fear the consequences of getting caught much less assaulting a citizen who sees them doing it and speaks up. Had I been in their shoes as a youth I would have just run away for fear of getting in trouble with the police or, worse still, my parents. Is this case really that unusual or just unusual in that the fellow died? I hope this is a single case that does not point to a larger trend amongst our young people but, having lived in a large Canadian city, I am not confident that this is the case.

Will
said

Sure, blame the victim. How about we actually blame the CRIMINAL(s)! Charges shoudl be appropriate: cause a death by violence in the commission of another crime= MURDER. No parole ever.

skip
said

Another example of how our children are turning out these days. They are not being properly supervised, whether in the school system, on the bus after school, or their day care. They are not being held accountable for their behavior from a young age when their mistakes are still small. You end up with teenagers like this and adults like the canuck fans in Vancouver.People are fearful of intercepting the behavior of older children. They are like little gangs on the street.Children need adult supervision and guidance from a young age. They are left to supervise themselves when they eat at school and they have volunteers looking after them in the school yard who are untrained.

oh dear
said

I agree that this was very very sad and unnecissary. But my understanding was the suspect just pushed the man, and doubtless did not intend to seriously harm anyone....he should definately serve time but it seems like a waste of 2 lives if he is to go to jail for murder

David in Dartmouth
said

Charge him with First Degree Murder...and any of his accomplices...Assuming the evidence is there to convict...Hang them...!!! Bring back the rope..!!

Steve T
said

Perhaps the perpetrator was a poor starving man who just needed the pumpkin to sustain himself. You know, like in Les Miserables.At least, that's how the stupid justice system is likely to treat this scumbag.

Rosie
said

Wow,all over a teenager possibly stealing a pumpkin on display outside a store.Sad story,tragic ending.IGA didn't seem too worried about the pumpkins ,leaving them outside.In fact,they probably factor in theft in their pricing.In the end ,its good advice to leave the policing to the police.

davin
said

It's sad that in todays society people have no value or concern for another humans's life, the law should prosecute this individual to the fullest extent, the canadian legal system has to change and cases like these should be used to set an example. I agree with mark maybe he should of left those fools alone, but this individual clearly had morals something that society seems to be lacking lately and he acted on them, hopefully justice is served.

Dale
said

Too sad, but why intervene. Its not worth it, and for a stupid pumpkin. ?? If grocery stores are stupid enough to put stuff outside their doors then its their own fault. Now lets see the Canadian justice system at work, a slap on the wrist or some other mamby pamby punishment. So sad indeed.

GreginHFX
said

Push for Murder 2 Theft. Settle on Theft Manslaughter. Nothing less. None of that aggravated assault nonsense.

Stef
said

The guy should've called the cops and followed them instead to give directions as to where they are heading.

Bob
said

10 years in prison would send a good message. But then this is Canada .. maybe he will get to do 10 hours of community service.

mike
said

I hope these punks do not just get a slap on the wrist and are punished very hard for what they did because a good person had his life taken from him. i have no sympathy for anythig these thugs get.

Katie
said

I agree with Gerald. It's terrible that this man died, I hope the teen gets punished for it, but was a pumpkin really worth his life? I hope people learn from this.

Mark
said

The cost of a pumpkin is somewhere between 2 & 7 dollars, this wouldn't have bankrupt the store. This guy should have stuck to his bike ride, it's stupid to get involved in something so insignificant. I'm sure the police would have encouraged the guy to stick to his own business. It's sad that the conservative government encourages this type of behavior. A life is not worth the price of a pumpkin.

Matt F Barrie
said

No disrespect, but you sincerely have to ask yourself if putting yourself in harms way for items like a Pumpkin is worth it.

Ella
said

People sure have very short fuses nowadays. Charge this numbskull with murder and make him eat pumpkin every day for the rest of his pitiful life. If this Good Samaritan and his wife had pedaled a bit faster they would have missed the whole thing. How sad.

big_papi
said

well, canada's law system is a joke, but PLEASE lets make an example of these thugs.... maybe an eye for an eye..... R.I.P

Gerald
said

With all due respect and I'm not trying to be funny, but it might have been a better idea to let the two morons have the stupid pumpkin.

Eric
said

What is wrong with people in society these days. You break the law and get caught by a good person passing by and you decide to beat him down until he is seriously hurt. Why cant you just run away. Its a friggen pumpkin, its not worth fighting over to that extreme. It is so sad when you hear about morons like this that feel an extreme amount of violence is the answer to everything

Jess
said

So sad :(

Mark
said

Very sad. This is Canada, so we can expect a slap on the wrist for the perp.

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