A fatal stabbing on Collier Street in downtown Barrie this past weekend has one business owner determined to set the record straight while also calling for more police on the ground and taking the blame off the area he says he loves.
The police investigation into Monday morning’s stabbing, which led to the death of a 47-year-old man, has landed one man in custody and another being sought by investigators.
Jordan Szyperski, 32, was arrested without incident Monday evening in Barrie. He has been charged with second-degree murder, robbery, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and assault with a weapon.
Steve Ricalis, who is a co-owner for the Dunlop Street Diner, as well as North Country BBQ and Donaleigh’s Irish Public House, said yesterday's events were harrowing.
“I got a call around 8:15 a.m. (Monday) from a staff member who was in hysterics. I couldn’t understand her at first," he said. "Eventually, she was able to tell me that someone had been stabbed — not at the restaurant and they had now ended up in the diner.
“I got here as quick as I could," Ricalis added. "By that time, the victim was gone and police had the whole street and area blocked off.”
Ricalis said he closed the diner and sent everyone home while he assessed the situation.
The diner had only been open for a couple hours, as Family Day is a busy day for the restaurant.
But being open is also what caused them to be involved in the whole deadly ordeal.
“It was Family Day Monday, so a lot of places are closed, especially at that time of the morning. We’re a diner, so we were open,” Ricalis said.
The restaurateur said he later checked his surveillance cameras and had seen the injured man trying to open doors along the alleyway as he made his way to the restaurant seeking help.
City police have said the stabbing happened near Trinity Anglican Church, located at 24 Collier St., and it appears the injured man, whose identity has not been confirmed, made his way down the alley on the south end of the Dunlop Street East diner.
Ricalis said there was a lot of speculation on social media, but he wanted to make sure people know the truth.
“The most unfortunate thing here is that someone lost their life, no matter what it was over," he said. "But I see reports that someone was killed inside our restaurant, or multiple people were pulled from the diner and none of that is true.
“Someone who was stabbed came in here looking for help, which my staff did their absolute best to provide. One stretcher left here because there was one victim," Ricalis added.
The longtime business owner said he couldn't have been more proud of his staff and was understanding as some of them needed the time off.
“He came in and said he was stabbed and my staff sat him down, called 911 and got him some water. They retrieved some gauze and applied pressure to the wound, but he began to deteriorate and then collapsed to the floor,” Ricalis said. “Not long after that, an ambulance and police arrived and took over, getting him on a stretcher and out to hospital.”
Ricalis also said there was a doctor and a nurse having breakfast at the time and they took over to help the injured man.
“We’ve got some staff who are off today, obviously, as they’re feeling the effects of yesterday. They not only saw a lot of tragedy, but also they are having a guilt of feeling they should have done more to save him,” he said. “They couldn't. They did everything and more than what would have been asked, he was not going to make it.”
As someone who has also been involved with the Downtown BIA business association, Ricalis says some changes need to be made.
“This is not a downtown thing, it isn't even a Barrie thing," he said. "Things like this are happening everywhere. Look, downtown needs some work, but I think the new mayor and new Ward 2 councillor realize that.
“Personally, I feel we need more police on the ground, walking the beat up and down and through alleys," Ricalis added. "I also feel like a distress service would help — a team of mental health professionals who can identify needs and address them. Even if those professionals had a little brick-and-mortar office to come and go from, that would be good.”
Ricalis also noted that while there are people struggling with addiction and living on the street, they’re not the main issue.
“The problem is the dealers who are preying on those with the addiction," he said. "Folks with addictions need help, they need to get help and they can’t get it when dealers are seeking them out and keeping them addicted. Let's deal with the dealers and their higher-ups.”
Barrie police are still searching for a second suspect in connection to the fatal stabbing.
Police have released a surveillance image of the second suspect, who is described as male, approximately 45 years old, and who may be missing fingers or a thumb on one hand. At the time of the altercation, police say he was wearing a brown jacket, black hooded sweatshirt and dark pants.
Anyone who may have information about his whereabouts is asked not to approach him, but rather contact police.
Police were called Monday morning regarding a "confrontation" between a group of people, which is believed to have taken place on Collier Street just prior to 8:20 a.m.
After the altercation, police say the injured man made his way to a Dunlop Street East business. He was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed "the violent but isolated interaction," or may have been driving in the area and has dash-cam video, to call investigators at 705-725-7025.
