This is the first picture of a shopkeeper stabbed to death during a weekend of violence in London.
Ravi Katharkamar, 54, was knifed during a robbery in Pinner on Sunday.
A murder probe was launched after police were called to a newsagent in Marsh Road at around 6am yesterday.
Friends and customers of Mr Katharkamar's told the Standard he was originally from Sri Lanka and is said to have lived and worked in Pinner for more than 20 years.
Paramedics treated him at the scene but he died 45 minutes after he was attacked.
Fellow shopkeeper Siva Lingam, who works at AVS Food and Grocery opposite, said: “We are all so sad. He was a very nice, quiet man. I can’t believe anyone would hurt him.
“This robbery must have been planned. They knew he was coming in early to do the Sunday papers. People must have been watching him and knew his routine.”
Another customer said he was a "pillar of the community", while another local added: "He was extremely friendly, polite and hard-working man. I have seen him delivering papers at the crack of dawn for over 20 years and he will be missed by the community."
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Stancombe from the Homicide and Major Crime Command said: "This was a vicious and unwarranted attack on a completely innocent man.
"Ravi's attacker got away with a few pounds worth of coins, but he leaves behind a family utterly devastated and a close-knit community asking who could do such a thing.
"Help me catch the man who did this. The attacker fled with a shop till - have you found this discarded or seen someone in possession of a shop till who wouldn't normally have one? Do you know someone trying to use lots of loose change since yesterday morning?
"I am also keen to hear from anyone who has information about a black Vauxhall Astra that the attacker used to flee the scene.
"This was parked in Cecil Park prior to the murder and was drive off at speed, south down Cecil Park immediately after the attack. If you saw this car, or have seen a black Vauxhall Astra abandoned, please contact my team."
Officers remain in the area and are available should residents have concerns or information they wish to pass on.
Anyone with information can also contact the incident room number on 0208 358 0200, via 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD1653/24Mar.
