Ed Schellenberg sixth victim among murdered Indo Canadians in Surrey, B.C. killings

Fireplace repairman appears to be one of six victims in Surrey, B.C. killings

October 22, 2007 - 20:56

By: Terri Theodore , THE CANADIAN PRESS

VANCOUVER - Friends of a fireplace repairman apparently caught up in one of British Columbia's worst recent murder cases are offering words of support and condolence, even though he hasn't been officially identified.

RCMP said Monday they couldn't confirm the identity of six men found dead in a top-floor apartment in the Vancouver suburb of Surrey on Friday.

But that hasn't stopped friends and acquaintances of Ed Schellenberg from expressing their shock and concern.

B.C. Solicitor General John Les said it provides apparent evidence that gang violence can touch anyone.

"We appear to have seen this weekend the involvement of an innocent bystander," he said. "And we have said in the past that gang violence is not something that involves just gang members."

Les said, however, that the province is well on the road to dealing with gang violence, despite the mass killing.

"We have integrated our policing resources in British Columbia in a way that leads the country," he said, pointing to integrated homicide investigations, gang task forces and other agencies that combine resources.

Schellenberg had been contracted to clean and repair gas fireplaces in the Balmoral Tower and was in Sigmund Aumueller's apartment on Thursday morning.

"A very friendly, very nice man," said Aumueller. "I really feel bad that he was involved - not really involved - but that he walked in on the wrong place at the right time."

Aumueller said he spoke with Schellenberg, who told him he would be doing maintenance on fireplaces in 14 to 18 apartments in the building each day.

"He was cleaning all the fire places out, lighting them up," he said. "Up until now our fireplace has been off and now they're off again."

Media reports have said Schellenberg's body was discovered along with five other males in the 15th-floor apartment.

Police have said little except that investigators believe the attack was not random.

The phone number of the business card that Aumueller said Schellenberg left behind goes directly to voice mail.

Schellenberg's wife Lois works at the Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, B.C., where she's the lead cook.

"We're really shocked and saddened by the turn of events, and are trying to be supportive to the family and also deal with it as our community." said college president Ron Penner.

A Internet blog started by a family friend asks people pray for the family.

"Ed Schellenberg, a well known guy and someone who helped everyone, was killed on Friday in the Surrey mass murder," said the blog from a couple identified only as Kevin and Julie. "He was always smiling and very genuine."

The RCMP's integrated homicide investigation team cancelled a planned news conference Monday as it worked to identify the victims. The news conference has been rescheduled for Tuesday.

"It would be highly inappropriate for police to release any names without being 100 per cent satisfied that the person is who we may think it is," said Cpl. Dale Carr in an RCMP news release.