Winnipeg restaurant owner dead following confrontation: police

The owner of a Winnipeg restaurant has died following an assault outside of his business on Wednesday night.

The Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) says officers were called to the 3100 block of Portage Avenue at around 5:30 p.m. for a report of an altercation involving two males.

When they arrived, a man in need of medical attention was found. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition, where he later died from his injuries.

He has been identified as Kyriakos Vogiatzakis, the 51-year-old owner of Cork and Flame. An autopsy is pending.

A male suspect was found in the area and taken into custody. Police did not say whether any weapons were recovered or whether the suspect and victim knew each other.

The Major Crimes unit is investigating. No charges have been laid.

Cork and Flame told CTV News Winnipeg it would not comment on what happened.

Community in shock

Lisa Lester, a long-time friend of Vogiatzakis, said she was absolutely stunned by the news.

"I was so shocked to hear that this could happen to somebody so wonderful, and to somebody who opened their doors to everybody in the world,” she said in an interview on Thursday.

Lester said that Vogiatzakis would often host live musicians at his restaurant, and would always put a smile on his customers’ faces.

"Even with the food in the restaurant, he used to like give to those in need that were hungry and always had an extended hand going out,” she said.

Lester noted that Vogiatzakis did not have a wife or kids, but always put his family first. She said he was a true pillar in the community.

"He was always proud of his brothers, and adored his mom, and he was a very family person and the world is going to miss him tremendously,” she said.

Now, family and friends are left mourning the loss of the business owner.

"I'm really sorry he's gone,” Lester said.

“And I'm going to miss him terribly. He was my great friend for many years."