Hunt continues for shooter in fatal robbery at Captain's Quarters
CBC News | Posted: October 5, 2015 12:07 PM | Last Updated: October 5, 2015
'Two large pools of blood' as paramedics worked on Larry Wellman, says owner Marcel Etheridge
Police in St. John's, N.L., say Saturday night's shooting at the Captain's Quarters Hotel is a tragic reminder that it's not worth trying to stop armed robbers.
Larry Wellman, 63, was shot when he tried to intervene in an armed robbery at the hotel's bar. He died on the way to hospital.
[To] watch these people work on this gentleman wasn't a pleasant experience at all. - Marcel Etheridge, Captain's Quarters Hotel owner
Hotel owner Marcel Etheridge says the confrontation between Wellman and the robber was caught on surveillance — both video and audio.
"It showed that the guy that had the gun went to the bartender and demanded money, and then was not quite satisfied with what he was getting, pushed her … aggressively to get more money," Etheridge said.
"She ran out of the bar and the other gentleman — that was when a customer intervened."
Etheridge said the bartender called him, but by the time he arrived at the hotel police were already on scene.
He said police isolated him in his office, but he could see what was going on as paramedics continued to work on Wellman in an attempt to stabilize him for transportation to hospital.
"Extremely a lot of blood," he said. "There was two large pools of blood, one in the lobby area and another one halfway at the entrance to the bar.
"To sit there and to stand there and watch these people work on this gentleman wasn't a pleasant experience at all."
'Stands up for people'
According to Etheridge, Wellman could be heard telling the shooter to "get the hell out" after the bartender fled to the basement.
"I think he's a gentleman who stands up for people, especially when it's women involved. I think he's got that kind of moral fibre that he wasn't going to accept it," Etheridge said. "Unfortunately, it's sad that it ended up like it did."
Etheridge said the bartender who was working that night is still in shock.
"She knew the guy because he's been there a few times," Etheridge said, "and I think that he's a friend of one of the other bartenders, a gentleman that's a bartender, and she's very upset … of course, we all are."
'Not worth it'
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said at a news conference Monday it has no leads but extensive resources are being put into the investigation.
Police said Sunday evening that a ground search team had been dispatched to the area. The RNC has set up a "major case management team" dedicated to locating the shooter.
"Without having a suspect or person of interest we really can't draw conclusions [about motive]," Const. Steve Curnew said.
"Historically for us, what we find is that people that are committing these types of crimes are doing it for various reasons: addictions, financial reasons, mental health issues."
Curnew reiterated that the proper response when dealing with an armed robber is to comply with the demands and not resist.
"This weekend, this incident is a tragic reminder that it's really not worth it," he said.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the RNC or Crime Stoppers.