Shooting at Captain's Quarters: New details emerge about Brandon Phillips' arrest
CBC News | Posted: October 13, 2015 8:00 PM | Last Updated: October 13, 2015
Suspect facing charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery
There are new details surrounding the arrest Saturday evening of Brandon Phillips, the 27-year-old charged in connection with the shooting death of Larry Wellman.
- Brandon Phillips charged in Captain's Quarters hotel slaying
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CBC News has learned that Phillips and his girlfriend, Jade Ball, were staying at 30-A Quidi Vidi Road in St. John's when police executed a search warrant on the premises.
Phillips' mother, Deborah Phillips, was also present, along with another female.
Jade Ball is the daughter of Dwight Ball, leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary allege Phillips is responsible for Wellman's death, and have charged him with first-degree murder and armed robbery.
Phillips' arrest ended a week-long manhunt for a suspect in the shooting death of Wellman at the Captain's Quarters Hotel on Kings Bridge Road just before midnight on Oct. 3.
Wellman, 63, was a patron in the bar when he intervened in the robbery attempt.
The robber, who was carrying a firearm, shot Wellman, who later died.
The attempted robbery and shooting were recorded by the bar's surveillance cameras.
Phillips remains in custody
Police have released very little information, but there's no indication to suggest Jade Ball is facing any charges. Ball and Phillips' mother were questioned, and later released, sources say.
CBC News requested an interview Tuesday with Dwight Ball, whose party has been leading in public opinion polls leading toward the Nov. 30 provincial general election.
If that happens, Ball would become the province's 13th premier.
The Liberal leader released a statement on Sunday, saying he would not comment in the middle of the RNC investigation.
The Liberal leader also expressed his condolences to the family of Larry Wellman.
Asked for comment Tuesday, Ball's office said it had nothing more to say about the matter.
Court appearance expected on Friday
As for Phillips, he remains in police custody, and is scheduled to make another court appearance on Friday.
He is the son of convicted killer Eric James Squires, who was sent to prison in 1998 for the first-degree murder of Nina Walsh.
The firearm believed to have been used in the shooting has been recovered, police say, though it's not clear where it was found.
It's also not clear how police connected Phillips to the robbery and shooting, or if police suspect there were accomplices.
The RNC had scheduled a news briefing on Sunday, but later cancelled the event at the last moment.
The RNC had nothing to say publicly about the investigation on Tuesday, and there's no word on when investigators plan to give an update.
Meanwhile, CBC News has also learned that Dwight Ball took part in a previously scheduled conference call Sunday night with Liberal candidates.
Ball offered his reassurances to the candidates, and said the matter would work its way through the court system, sources say.