U of A shooting: Family of Michelle Shegelski thanks Albertans for their support in a statement issued through her former employer G4S

Edmonton - In a statement issued through her former employer G4S, family of Michelle Shegelski thank Albertans for their support. 

Shegelski was fatally shot during an armed robbery inside the University of Alberta’s HUB mall. She was killed alongside two of her G4S colleagues just after midnight Friday June 15th. The man charged in their deaths, Travis Baumgartner, was also a G4S employee.

Shegelski’s family released a written statement to the public on Monday:

G4S Cash Solutions (Canada) Ltd.
Press Statement
Toronto, June 25, 2012

Shegelski Family Statement

Michelle's husband Victor, parents Peter and Cheryl, and our families would like to thank the people of Edmonton, High Level and all of Canada for the tremendous outpouring of support.

This tragic time in our lives has been tempered by the amount of caring we have been shown.

No words can express our heartfelt Thank You to all the people who have sent communications expressing their condolences for our loss of the very beautiful vibrant young life that was our Michelle.

Also a thank you to all the paramedics and police who responded to the call and who have to deal with senseless violence in our communities on a daily basis.
We would also like to thank the press for respecting our grief. Media are welcome to attend but the family will not be giving any interviews.

Our lives will be forever changed and so will the lives of the people that she touched.

She will live on in our memories forever.

Thank you for your cooperation.

The Shegelski Family and Friends


In her obituary, Shegelski’s family recalls her time as a Royal Canadian Army Cadet in High Level, where she was a “good shot with a rifle… and loved all the outdoor activities including night games and Wilderness Challenge hikes.” Loved ones also describe her passion for reading and writing, her passion for women’s issues, and her fortitude. They say Shegelski “made friends everywhere she went, cracking everyone up with her wonderful sense of humour, flair for impressions and comedy routines.”

Shegelski was born in High River in 1985, and lived there until she moved to Edmonton to attend the University of Alberta. 

She is survived by her husband Victor; parents Peter and Cheryl Ernst; siblings; and “many other family members and friends too numerous to mention.”

Her funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 26. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial donations may be made to: Victims of Violence.