Key Takeaways
In June 2012, Travis Baumgartner killed three colleagues and critically injured another during a botched armored car robbery at the University of Alberta.
The crime highlighted lapses in hiring and vetting processes for armed guards in Canada.
Baumgartner was arrested at the Canada-U.S. border with $334,000 in stolen cash, later confessing to the murders.
The incident led to changes in how armored car companies approach employee screening and training.
Travis Baumgartner pleaded guilty to killing 3 at the University of Alberta in Edmonton (Source: CBS)
The Heist and Murders
On the night of June 14, 2012, Travis Baumgartner, a 21-year-old GS4 Cash Solutions guard, turned on his colleagues during a routine cash replenishment at the University of Alberta's Hub Mall. The team, consisting of five armed guards, was reloading ATM machines when Baumgartner opened fire.
Using his .38-caliber revolver, Baumgartner shot and killed three of his colleagues execution-style:
Eddie Rejano, 39: A father of three who had been with the company for six months.
Michelle Shegelski, 26: A newlywed of two weeks and former university graduate.
Brian Ilesic, 35: A father dedicated to his young daughter.
Baumgartner also shot 25-year-old Matthew Schuman, a military firefighter, in the head. Schuman miraculously survived but suffered life-altering injuries. Baumgartner then fled the scene, locking the secure vault behind him, and left with $334,000 in stolen cash.
The Motive
Baumgartner’s motive stemmed from mounting personal and financial pressures. He had recently purchased a new truck with a loan co-signed by his mother and was struggling to pay debts. On the night of the robbery, he argued with his mother over rent money. He had also discussed the idea of robbing his employer with a friend and sent a text message stating, "This is the night." After the shootings, he fled with approximately $334,000, some of which was later found at his mother's home.
Earlier that evening, he texted a friend: "This is the night." Baumgartner had reportedly joked about robbing the armored truck before, but no one took him seriously.
Armoured Car Murders: The Arrest
Baumgartner's escape plan quickly unraveled. Security footage showed him transferring cash from the armored truck to his personal vehicle.
He then drove to his mother's house, left $64,000 in cash on the kitchen table, and fled westward. Police issued Canada-wide warrants for his arrest.
On June 16, two days after the murders, Baumgartner attempted to cross the Canada-U.S. border at Lynden, Washington. A license plate scanner flagged his vehicle, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested him without resistance. He was found with $330,000 in cash but no passport, ensuring he could not have crossed into the U.S.
The Trial and Sentencing
In September 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, and one count of attempted murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 40 years, marking one of the longest parole ineligibility periods in Canadian history at that time.
Baumgartner pleaded guilty to:
One count of first-degree murder for the death of Eddie Rejano.
Two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Michelle Shegelski and Brian Ilesic.
One count of attempted murder for critically injuring Matthew Schuman.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment with no chance of parole for 40 years, the first case in Canada prosecuted under the new Protecting Canadians by Ending Sentence Discounts for Multiple Murders Act (Bill C-48). This law allowed consecutive parole ineligibility periods for multiple murders.
Overturned
However, in May 2022, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that imposing consecutive parole ineligibility periods for multiple murders was unconstitutional, as it violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This decision affected Baumgartner's sentence, potentially making him eligible for parole after serving 25 years.
The families of the victims expressed disappointment with the Supreme Court's ruling, feeling that it undermined the original sentence's intent to reflect the severity of Baumgartner's crimes. They, along with some lawmakers, have called for legislative changes to address the implications of the court's decision.
The Aftermath and Lessons
The heist underscored significant lapses in hiring and vetting processes for security guards:
Baumgartner had exhibited erratic behavior and voiced violent thoughts online.
His Facebook profile included quotes from the Joker character in The Dark Knight and musings about committing violent acts.
GS4 faced scrutiny for failing to identify red flags in Baumgartner’s background and mental state. The company conducted internal reviews, but its hiring policies remained largely unchanged.
Remembering the Victims
The Armoured Car Murders left an indelible mark on Edmonton and the victims' families:
Michelle Shegelski was buried in her Victorian wedding dress, symbolizing the joy of her recent marriage.
Brian Ilesic was remembered as a devoted father who prioritized his daughter’s happiness.
Eddie Rejano, a former Ontario resident, was a beloved member of Edmonton’s shooting community.
Matthew Schuman, the sole survivor, continues to rebuild his life while coping with severe physical and psychological trauma.
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