EDMONTON – Crimebeat – The mother of Travis Baumgartner, the 21-year-old Sherwood Park resident wanted on Canada-wide warrants for first degree murder, 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,” Sandy Baumgartner told EPS.
“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.”
An international manhunt has been launched with multiple policing organizations collaborating across numerous borders in a concerted effort to locate Baumgartner, the primary suspect in an armed robbery at the University of Alberta, Friday, July 15, 2012. Police believe the 21-year-old fellow armoured guard shot and killed three of his armoured guard colleagues and put a fourth guard in hospital with life-threatening injuries.
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.”
Canada-wide warrants have been issued for Baumgartner’s arrest for three counts of first degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
Police believe Baumgartner is “armed and dangerous” and are urging the public to use extreme caution should they happen to encounter Baumgartner.
Baumgartner, a G4S armoured vehicle employee, is believed to be one of several armoured company employees that attended the U of A around midnight today, Friday, June 15, 2012, to make a delivery.
Baumgartner is the owner of a dark blue Ford F-150 pick-up truck with an Alberta licence plate number, CAA 636, which police now believe is his most recent vehicle plate.
“We now know that the suspect has changed his licence plate,” said Hassel.
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.