Three Arrested in Murder of Kentucky Derby Tourist

Louisville police arrested a man, his girlfriend, and her brother for the murder of a Canadian bartender visiting city for the Kentucky Derby.

Police say Scott Hunter, 49, from Toronto, was walking back with a friend to their Louisville hotel on Saturday night when Tyrone Thomas Jr., 19, shot him to death. Thomas’ girlfriend, Fatima Abu-Diab, 20, allegedly drove the getaway car. Fahed Abu-Diab, the girlfirend’s brother, was allegedly part of the action, according to WDRB.

The Toronto Star reported that the trio had allegedly committed 12 robberies in the area of Churchill Downs over the weekend. Louisville Metro Police Lt. Todd Kessinger said, “It looks like they were concentrating in a general area and that they were targeting people that were walking on the street or walking through parking lots.” He told WDRB that Hunter and his friend were randomly targeted by the trio of thugs after the teenagers saw them while driving and exited their car to rob them.

The Daily Mail reported that all three suspects have run into trouble with police before. Earlier in 2015, according to police, Fahed was involved in the death of a high school student. But the case was ruled a “justifiable homicide.” Thomas was arrested earlier this year on drug charges. In 2014, Fatima was sentenced to six months in jail for misdemeanor assault.

WHAS reported that Fahed is charged with murder, nine counts of first-degree robbery, three counts of second-degree robbery, third-degree trafficking a controlled substance, and trafficking marijuana; Fatima has been charged with murder, nine counts of first-degree robbery, three counts of second-degree robbery, first-degree possession of a controlled substance, first-degree trafficking a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana.

Hunter, a bartender at House on Parliament, a pub in Ontario, was making the trip of a lifetime, according to his friends. House on Parliament posted a message on Facebook:

It with sadness and heartbreak we tell our HOP friends of the death of Scott Hunter. Scotty was in Louisville Kentucky attending the Kentucky Derby when a mugging went horribly wrong. Our hearts go out to his family in Hamilton and all the people who knew and loved him. Scotty was an intrepid member of our family, able to fulfill any role we placed him in on the floor. We will remember him as a tough as nails co-worker with a heart of gold, always there with a warm hug, shoulder to cry on, a quick grin and funny as hell. He was also an entrepreneur opening The Grinder coffee shop on Gerrard St. in Leslieville. It is a testament to his drive and ability that he was able to balance both roles so well. To Scott’s family, we would like you to know what a joy it was to have Scotty in our lives. He was one of a kind, well lived and loved. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
The HOP family.

One said, “’He decided to go as sort of a bucket list item and this terrible event happened.” He had just opened a coffee shop called “Grinder.”