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When Calgary tycoon Riaz Mamdani was shot inside a black Rolls-Royce outside his mansion in one of Calgary’s most expensive neighbourhoods in December, he survived when a bullet apparently aimed at his heart struck his American Express “black card” — an elite credit card made of titanium — nestled in the pocket of his suit vest.

The heavy-gauge windshield of his Rolls-Royce Ghost seems also to have interfered with bullets aimed for his head that instead grazed his lip and cheek and struck his arm.

His wealth might be one possible motive for the targeted attack, but the trappings of his wealth also seem to have protected him.

There is no doubting how close a call it was.

Calgary police describe it as a “near-fatal” shooting, an “attempted murder” and “definitely a targeted attack.”

Police released startling photos Wednesday of the damaged front windshield, with three bullet holes behind which the driver had been seated, and the pierced Amex Centurion Card, which now has jagged and twisted metal protruding through the first four digits of the card number where a bullet struck it.

Photo by Gavin Young/Postmedia/File

“The titanium credit card was in the pocket of a suit vest being worn by the victim at the time of the shooting,” said Calgary police Staff Sgt. Jodi Gach.

“These photos show how violent this encounter was.”

Police declined to comment on the prospect of the metal card saving Mamdani’s life.

Police also released photos of a badly burned white Hyundai Santa Fe SUV investigators say was used by the gunman to escape. It was seen leaving the scene “at a high rate of speed,” Gach said. The SUV was deliberately set ablaze; presumably to destroy any evidence the shooter may have inadvertently left behind.