EDMONTON — The wife of an armoured car guard who survived a shot to the head in a violent robbery says he is improving and was overjoyed to see his son for the first time in hospital.
“He recognizes his family and was overwhelmed with joy to see our two-year old son for the first time (Sunday) night since the incident,” Matthew Schuman’s wife, Jennifer, said in a statement released Monday.
“He was eagerly attentive when our son attempted to describe a new toy he received. Matthew’s communication skills are limited, but we do understand each other.”
Schuman’s wife, who does not share his last name and doesn’t want hers published, said he was moved from an Edmonton hospital’s intensive care unit to a monitoring ward on Friday.
“He is undergoing physiotherapy to regain full control over his motor skills, which are present but have been greatly affected.”
Schuman, 25, was the only survivor when four guards working for security company G4S were shot at the University of Alberta on June 15 while they were reloading an ATM machine.
Travis Baumgartner, who was one of the crew on the job, was picked up a day later at the Canada-U.S. border with $330,000 in a backpack. He has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and robbery.
Schuman’s wife said he had surgery the day of the shooting to remove the lodged bullet and was put into an induced coma.
His breathing tube was removed June 19 and he awoke soon after, she said.
“Our focus now is on Matthew’s recovery as we try to restore a sense of normality in our lives.”
Jennifer said the family appreciates the public’s ongoing support.
There was also a statement Monday from the family of one of the armed guards who was killed.
Michelle Shegelski’s relatives said their “tragic time” has been tempered “by the amount of caring we have been shown.”
“Our lives will be forever changed and so will the lives of the people that she touched,” read the statement from her husband, parents and other family members.
“She will live on in our memories forever.”
A funeral for Shegelski, 26, was planned for Tuesday in Edmonton.
Private services were already held for Eddie Rejano, 39, and Brian Ilesic, 35.