July 29, 2022 • 1 day ago • 3 min read • 9 comments Subhi Kutob says his business partner Riham Kamil is lucky to be alive after he was shot near his heart in what Kutob believes was a botched robbery attempt or of a robbery at RK Forever Jewelery on Wonderland Road on Wednesday. Photo taken on Thursday, July 29, 2022. (JONATHAN JUHA/The London Free Press)

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The brother of a London jeweler shot dead in an apparent robbery or attempted robbery says he wants to see better police protection for the industry after a spate of violence involving jewelers in the city this year.

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Riham Kamil, owner of RK Forever Jewelery on Wonderland Road, was shot dead after closing shop on Wednesday, escaping in his Porsche after four masked men tried to get into the car which was blocked by another vehicle, with a fifth man inside. Security footage reviewed by the Free Press shows. The bullet struck Kamil, 34, about an inch from his heart, an injury so severe he may need a second round of surgery after doctors found some internal bleeding, Kamil’s brother Aram said Friday. “I would like to see the police chief come out and make a public statement about what the police plan to do about this,” said Aram, who owns a jewelry business in Toronto. “Within two weeks, two jewelers have been hit (in London), so it’s clear they’re being targeted,” he said.

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London police have not said the shooting was the result of a botched robbery, but Aram and Kamil’s business partner Subhi Kutob say they believe it is. “They’re not just coming to steal. They come to take a life if they don’t get what they want,” Aram said. “And they are not afraid. They don’t think there’s any impact.” If the suspects intended to rob the jewelry store, it would be the third such store to be targeted by armed robbers this year. Ronaldo’s jewelery was robbed on March 25 when several suspects armed with guns entered the store on Wharncliffe Road North. Three Toronto-area men have been charged in connection with a robbery that left one person with minor injuries after an intruder hit an employee with a gun.

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Bella Jewelry in Lambeth was targeted on July 11, with police looking for four suspects in that investigation. Simon Naifeh owns the business on Main Street and fought off would-be thieves who entered his store. He said he was shocked to hear about the violence outside RK Forever on Wednesday. “I hope the police take this very seriously,” he said. “I’m really scared, to be honest with you. I do not feel comfortable. I no longer concentrate on my work.” Naifeh said he is investing $50,000 in additional security, including adding reinforced glass to all of his store’s displays. He has also hired a person to guard the entrance and watch customers before they come inside. Police said Friday they have not determined whether the clashes this week and in June are connected or if the suspects are members of organized crime.

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“We are continuing to investigate and look at all avenues, including a motive and any possible connections to any other criminal activity, which have not been established at this time,” said police spokesman Const. Kyrsten Howell-Harry wrote in an emailed statement. Asked about Aram Kamil’s comments about the need for police to do a better job of protecting jewelry stores, Howell-Harry said: “We have no further information or comment to provide at this time.” Police renewed their appeal for anyone with information about Wednesday’s dramatic events to come forward to help identify the five suspects they are looking for, four of whom were captured on surveillance video released by police. Police are also looking for a blue Acura sedan, also caught on video, that was seen taking off in Wonderland after the shooting.

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Anyone with information can call 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Drivers who were in the area at the time of the shooting are asked to check dash-cam footage for images of the Acura sedan. WEDNESDAY’S SHOOTING: SUSPICIOUS DESCRIPTIONS – Slim black male wearing a dark blue Puma hoodie, dark gray or black hoodie and white shoes – White male wearing a black Puma hooded sweatshirt, dark pants and a surgical mask – White male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a gray sweatshirt – A man in a blue and black windbreaker, black pants, white shoes and a white mask or face covering – A fifth suspect, who never got out of the vehicle and for whom there is no description, is also being sought With files from Free Press reporter Dale Carruthers [email protected] Twitter.com/JuhaatLFPress

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