Medallion Deflects Bullet Meant for Cypress Jeweler

A Cypress jewelry store owner, hit by a bullet fired at point-blank range during a holdup attempt Wednesday, was saved by some of his own merchandise.

The bullet bounced off a gold medallion that Elias G. Kassouf was wearing on a chain around his neck, Cypress Police Capt. Daryl Wicker said. “He got one heck of a giant bruise where the round hit him,” Wicker added.

Kassouf, 42, had seen two men browsing earlier Wednesday in his store in the 4400 block of Lincoln Avenue. Shortly before 2:30 p.m., the pair returned brandishing pistols, police said.

Blazed Away at Store Owner

Kassouf ducked behind a wood and glass display case just as the gunmen opened up from 10 feet away, firing at least half a dozen bullets at him, police said.

One round penetrated the display case and struck Kassouf’s medallion. The gold piece was blown across the room.

Kassouf, badly shaken but otherwise not seriously injured, was treated and released at La Palma Community Hospital. The gunmen, who fled empty-handed, escaped with a third man waiting outside in a black Cadillac, police said.

Kassouf was twice lucky Wednesday.

The medallion was supposed to be returned to a customer Wednesday morning, according to Heyam Awad, a family friend.

“He couldn’t reach (the customer), so he wore it all day long so he wouldn’t lose it,” she said.