Store Owner Critically Wounded in Holdup

A Burbank liquor store owner was in critical but stable condition Sunday at St. Joseph Medical Center with wounds received when two hold-up men ordered him into a back room of his store Saturday and one shot him at close range, police said.

The store owner, Kebriel Kassis, 52, underwent surgery for removal of a bullet from his abdomen after the 4:30 p.m. robbery, Burbank police Sgt. Jeff Pratt said.

Kassis told police he was alone and stocking the shelves in his store, the Aero Liquor Store at 2527 W. Burbank Blvd., when he turned and saw one of the men pointing a handgun at him. The men ordered Kassis into the back room and the gunman fired one bullet into Kassis’ abdomen, Pratt said.

Pratt said the two men then removed a small amount of money and some jewelry from the victim. Police do not know if money was taken from the store, he said.