Edmonton police confirm that Travis Baumgartner – the suspect wanted in the University of Alberta shooting that left 3 of his G4S coworkers dead and one seriously wounded – has been captured. The arrest follows an intense 36-hour manhunt that had turned international.
Global Edmonton has learned Baumgartner was caught at a small Canada-U.S. border crossing between Aldergrove B.C. around 3 kilometres from Lynden, Washington, which is about 30 kilometres south of Abbotsford, B.C. .
Edmonton police say Baumgartner was alone in his blue Ford F-150 pickup truck. Sgt. Dave Reitzel said a sum of money was found in the truck when Baumgartner was arrested.
“We’re hearing the vehicle still had his mother’s licence plate (CAA 636) on it,” said Supt. Bob Hassel, of EPS’s Criminal Investigations Division in a release. “We’re grateful to the border officials at Lynden, Washington, for their excellent work in arresting a man we believe was armed and extremely dangerous.”
Baumgartner had been on the run since Friday when four G4S guards were gunned down, three of them fatally. Police have said Baumgartner was the fifth member of a crew re-loading bank machines at the University of Alberta’s Hub Mall and Residence, where the shooting happened.
The 21-year-old is facing three counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
Police officials are now on their way to bring Baumgartner and the truck back to Edmonton.
News of Baumgartner’s arrest has brought some level of solace and relief to the G4S family, still in a state of shock on the heels of Friday’s shootings.
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“We applaud the dedication of the Edmonton Police Service, and other law enforcement agencies in apprehending Travis Baumgartner today,” said Robin Steinberg of G4S Cash Solutions (Canada). “Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of the victims and also with the Baumgartner family.”
Baumgartner’s mother had issued a plea the day of the shooting for her son to turn himself in.
Matthew Schuman, one of the guards injured in Friday’s shooting, continues to fight for his life in hospital.
Edmonton police are expected to comment more on the arrest Sunday afternoon.
With files from Vassy Kapelos and the Canadian Press
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