Wife 'cautiously optimistic' survivor of armoured car heist will improve

The wife of the only survivor of a fatal armed robbery in Edmonton last week says she is cautiously optimistic his condition will improve.

Matthew Schuman's wife Jennifer, who does not want her last name used, said in a written statement on Tuesday that her husband remains in critical but stable condition after Friday's shooting in Hub Mall on the University of Alberta campus.

"Sunday evening was the first time that he opened his eyes and squeezed my hand," she said. "Shortly thereafter he went back to sleep. We remain cautiously optimistic that his condition will improve."

Matthew Schuman, an employee of G4S who is also a corporal in the Canadian military, suffered head injuries in the attack that took place while he and four other guards were putting cash into a banking machine.

Michelle Shegelski, 26, Brian Ilesic, 35 and Eddie Rejano all died at the scene.

G4S employee Travis Baumgartner, 21, now faces three counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. He was arrested on Saturday afternoon while attempting to enter the United States near Abbotsford, B.C., and is expected to be returned to Edmonton on Wednesday.

In her statement, Schuman's wife said she was relieved to hear that Baumgartner had been detained. She also expressed her condolences to the other families.

"I can't begin to fathom the grief the families of the other victims must be experiencing," she writes. "My heart goes out to them."

She adds that she is thankful for the support and generosity shown by the public.

"I'm touched at the level of concern and gentle inquires about Matthew's condition," she writes.