Fatal hotel shooting called a 'shocking tragedy,' hunt still on for suspect
CBC News | Posted: October 6, 2015 11:11 AM | Last Updated: October 6, 2015
As the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary continues its search for the suspect in a weekend armed robbery turned fatal, St. John's Mayor Dennis O'Keefe says the city is still reeling.
- Shooting victim Larry Wellman 'a person who would help anybody'
- Hunt continues for shooter in fatal robbery at Captain's Quarters
"It's certainly shocking news and a very, very shocking tragedy, and our thoughts here and city hall and our prayers go out to the family of the individual who was shot over the weekend," said O'Keefe, referring to the fatal shooting of Larry Wellman, a patron at the Captain's Quarter's Hotel late Saturday night.
"We're all hoping that the RNC in their quest to find the individual will find that individual as quickly as possible."
Wellman was shot after he tried to intervene in an armed robbery at the King's Bridge Road hotel just before midnight Saturday.
The RNC released a still image of the suspect Tuesday afternoon, from the hotel's surveillance camera.
According to hotel owner Marcel Etheridge, Wellman could be seen on security footage intervening when the robber, armed with a shotgun, became aggressive with the bartender.
Wellman died en route to the hospital.
Police mum on suspects
The RNC says there are still no suspects, but there has been an active search. A helicopter hovered over the area late Monday afternoon as police urged anyone with information to come forward.
Meanwhile, O'Keefe said the city is in the process of implementing recommendations that came out of the mayor's advisory committee on crime prevention.
"Our department of community services is now in the process of implementing the recommendations that will look at other things that we can do as a city to increase safety in the city, and other ways to work with the RNC to ensure our city is as safe as it can possible be," he told CBC News.
"But in the meantime, unfortunately there is an element in our society who have a criminal nature I guess and acts occur that shouldn't occur. This particularly tragedy is an enormous one and it's a shock to everybody in the city and everybody in the province."
Police are still searching for the male suspect, and anyone with information is asked to contact the RNC or Crime Stoppers.