U of A shooting: Guard wounded in HUB Mall heist opens eyes

EDMONTON - The guard critically wounded in last week’s shooting at the University of Alberta’s HUB Mall opened his eyes and squeezed his wife’s hand over the weekend.

Cpl. Matthew Schuman, a member of the Canadian Forces, was shot early Friday in a robbery that left three colleagues dead.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Jennifer Schuman said her husband remains in critical but stable condition.

“We remain cautiously optimistic that his condition will improve,” she said.

Schuman said she was “relieved” to hear the alleged shooter had been captured and hopes “he co-operates and explains his actions, because he has affected so many lives.”

“His actions have angered an entire country, and I hope that at one point he can comprehend the level of damage he has done,” she said.

Schuman said she’s touched by the outpouring of public concern and extends her support to the other families affected by the shootings.

“I can’t begin to fathom the grief the families of the other victims must be experiencing,” she said. “My heart goes out to them and I hope that they have some small solace in knowing that the (alleged) attacker is behind bars.”

Family friend James Robson said that only family members have been allowed in the University of Alberta Hospital room to see Schuman, who was working his civilian job with G4S Cash Solutions at the time of the shooting.

Schuman’s age and the extent of his injuries have not been released.

Schuman enlisted in the Canadian Forces in 2009. He is a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force and is now posted at CFB Edmonton as a full-time military firefighter.

Meanwhile, the federal government confirmed Tuesday it will launch its own investigation into the triple homicide.

The case is being handled by the labour department, which is part of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

A spokesperson with Alberta Health and Safety said the case is under federal jurisdiction now because it was criminal in nature.

Travis Baumgartner has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and four counts of armed robbery.

Police previously said Baumgartner was expected to be back in Edmonton on Wednesday, and would make his first court appearance in Edmonton.

A spokesperson for Alberta’s Solicitor General and Public Security would not confirm when or how Baumgartner will be returned to the province.