Pharmacist assaulted at Tim Hortons said he was attacked for 'giving that vaccine to everyone'

An Ontario pharmacist who was badly beaten in an attack that happened while he was getting his morning coffee at Tim Hortons said he was targeted because his work included administering COVID-19 vaccines. But police in Waterloo, Ont., where the assault happened, said there are currently no indications that pharmacist Ramzy Shaker was anything other than a random victim, according to a report in the local media outlet, The Record. A 28-year-old man from Kitchener—part of the Waterloo region—has been arrested and charged with three counts of assault, assaulting a peace officer and two counts of mischief under $5,000. The attack happened just after 7:00 a.m. on Aug. 31, as Shaker was getting coffee on his way to work. According to another news report, by CTV News, Shaker was standing inside a Tim Hortons store when he felt a blow to his head. The attacker “screamed at my face and said 'I know you've been giving that vaccine to everyone' and continued to punch," Shaker recalled. “I was wearing the pharmacy shirt and that was his motive—that I’m giving the vaccine.” Read: Will pediatric COVID-19 vaccines prove a flash point for violence against healthcare workers? The attacker punched him three times in the back of his head as well as in his stomach and legs, said Shaker. A bystander and an off-duty police officer saw what was happening and rushed over to help. Despite his injuries, Shaker went to work because he couldn’t find anyone to cover his shift. But by early afternoon “he started coughing and vomiting blood,” pharmacy staff member Katrina Liddell said. "That's when we had to close the doors and call the ambulance to take him to the hospital." Shaker was told by a doctor at the hospital that he had fractures around his nose and eye. Read: Quebec man punched nurse at pharmacy in face for giving wife COVID-19 vaccine: police In addition to being in a lot of pain, Shaker said, "I'm very scared. I’m watching my back now.” Assaults on pharmacists have been on the rise since the pandemic, according to the Ontario Pharmacists Association. But while some people may disagree with certain healthcare policies and mandates, “it does not give anyone the right to treat anyone with disrespect," said Justin Bates, the CEO of the association. Read: COVID-19 anti-vaxxers use the same arguments from 135 years ago

Pharmacist assaulted at Tim Hortons said he was attacked for 'giving that vaccine to everyone'

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