Mother of Travis Baumgartner: “Come home and do the right thing”
International manhunt underway for alleged killer
By Beacon staff
The mother of Travis Baumgartner has a simple message for her son: Turn yourself in to police. The 21-year old Sherwood Park resident is the suspect in the Edmonton HUB Mall killings in which three armoured car guards where murdered.
Travis Baumgartner is wanted on three Canada-wide warrants for first degree murder of Michelle Shegelski, 26, Eddy Rejano, 39, and Brian Ilesic, 35. He is also wanted on a warrant for the attempted murder of the fourth guard, Matthew Schuman, who is in critical condition in University Hospital.
Sandy Baumgartner made an emotional plea to her son Friday evening, to turn himself into police.
“I’m sorry that we had an argument last night, and had bad words between us, but I want you to come home and do the right thing. Let’s work this out together,” Baumgartner told the Edmonton Police Service.
“Trav’, as your mother, I ask that you come forward now and take responsibility for your actions. Please Travis, I love you, and I’m pleading with you with all of my heart, to end this without further bloodshed. As your mother, I promise to you now, that I will be there by your side to support you.”
“You are not alone Trav’. Please, I love you and want to help you. Call police now and end this peacefully.”
Superintendent of EPS’s Criminal Investigations Division Bob Hassel also had a message for Baumgartner.
“We want Travis to take responsibility for this situation and turn himself in to police,” stated Hassel adding, “Most every police organization has a copy of his photo and are actively supporting the EPS in an expansive manhunt.”
Police believe Travis Baumgartner is “armed and dangerous” and are urging the public to use extreme caution should they happen to encounter Baumgartner.
EPS members were called out to the university’s Hub Mall area after midnight, June 15 after receiving a call of shots fired.
Upon arrival, police found three deceased individuals and a fourth who was transported to hospital with undetermined injuries. EPS investigators have since confirmed the shootings were the result of an armed robbery of an armoured vehicle making deliveries at the U of A’s Hub Mall building.
Homicide detectives are now presiding over the crime scene. The investigation is in its preliminary stages, and further details will be released when they become available.
Anyone with information on Baumgartner’s whereabouts is urged to contact the EPS complaint line at 780-423-4567 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477. The EPS has assigned additional employees to monitor the CrimeStoppers phone line.
Category: Alberta