Three arrested in the 2023 murder of Bowmanville couple

Three men have been charged in the murder of a Bowmanville couple from early 2023, a crime Durham Police are now saying was targeted.

All three men have been charged with first degree murder.

In the early hours of February 4, 2023, three masked and armed suspects entered the Crombie Street home of Aram Kamel, 28, and his wife Rafad Alzubaidy, 26, and shot both victims multiple times at close range.

Kamel and Alzubaidy both died instantly, police said. Alzubaidy was six months pregnant at the time of her murder.

It was several hours later, after a 911 call requesting a wellness check on the couple, before the victims were discovered.

Investigators publicly identified the couple on Feb. 8. Alzubaidy, a Toronto jewelry store owner who had a workshop at the Bowmanville residence, and Kamel were the third and fourth murder victims in Durham Region in 2023.

Illia Ayo, a 22-year-old of no fixed address who goes by a street name of ‘Redstar;’ Abdinisar Aden, 22, of Toronto (‘NK’); and Emmanuel Ezbon, 21 and also from Toronto (‘17x’); are all charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

All three have been held for a bail hearing.

Durham Regional Police Service investigators provided the update on the murder at a press conference Friday morning and said they are still searching for others connected with the shootings.

“We are continuing to investigate other people who may also be criminally responsible for these murders,” said Det.-Sgt. Brad Corner of the DRPS Major Crime Unit, who hosted the press conference.

Anyone with new information is asked to contact Det. Graham of the Major Crimes Homicide Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5418.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.