MAN'S DEATH WAS 'EXECUTION'

Bid By Three People To Steal Cash And Drugs Led To Slaying Of Student,
Police Believe

The slaying of a popular Ryerson University student was an "execution," the
climax of a failed attempt to steal cash and drugs hidden in the young
man's downtown apartment, police investigators say.

"That's how we see it, based on the information we've been given," said
Detective Sergeant Ken Taylor of the Toronto police homicide squad.

Will Kim, 30, was shot to death on Friday night in his Gerrard Street East
apartment after three men showed up shortly before 10, apparently intent on
robbing him of money and illegal drugs.

Det. Sgt. Taylor said Mr. Kim had fought with two of the men, only to be
shot and killed by the third as they exited the apartment after a brief,
unsuccessful hunt for Mr. Kim's stash.

Mr. Kim, who was found in the doorway of his 10th-floor apartment, was
killed by a single bullet to the chest, fired from close range.

Yesterday, one of the fourth-year architecture student's friends described
him as friendly and vital: "He's the kind of person you can't imagine not
being here."

According to police, at least one of the men in the failed robbery had been
to Mr. Kim's apartment previously and apparently had learned that he kept
money and drugs there.

Det. Sgt. Taylor said Mr. Kim was at home with his girlfriend when the
three men pushed their way inside. He said "a quantity of illegal drugs and
cash" were hidden there."

Shortly after the slaying, police recovered a revolver on the north side of
Gerrard Street, near the apartment building.

Police also seized footage taken by security cameras owned by Ryerson and
local businesses, and believe they have images of the men involved.

Det. Sgt. Taylor said videotapes have been turned over to a laboratory for
digital enhancement.

Police also seized the hard drive from Mr. Kim's computer, and are
searching it for information. Yesterday, Det. Sgt. Taylor urged the
culprits to surrender: "I appeal to them to contact a lawyer and to call us."

He said the two people who fought with Mr. Kim in his doorway appear to be
in a different legal position than the one who shot him: "It's quite
possible that they intended to rob him but didn't realize that he'd be shot."

Mr. Kim, a well-liked figure at Ryerson, was born in the Ontario resort
town of Washago.

His father died some time ago, according to police.

Mr. Kim's mother and two sisters identified his body on the weekend.

After he was accepted at Ryerson, he rented an apartment on the Toronto
lakefront but moved to the Gerrard Street East building last year because
it is closer to the school.

Mr. Kim's girlfriend is one of several witnesses who supplied detailed
descriptions to police about the events that ended with the man's death.

"They have been extremely helpful," Det. Sgt. Taylor said.

Police describe the man who shot Mr. Kim about 5 foot 8 and 25 to 30 years
old, with a medium, athletic build.

He was wearing a white "do-rag" and a hunter-green football jersey with
white numbers.

The second man is described as having a thin beard, about 5 foot 10 and 25
to 30 years old. Police say the third person is a black male, 25 to 30.