RCMP shooting suspect hoped to surrender before arrest

The man wanted by RCMP in the shooting of two officers earlier this week was about to turn himself inwhen police, eavesdropping onhis phonecall to his parents, arrested him first, his best friend told CBC News on Friday.

SawyerRobison, 27, called his parents from a phone ata gas plantsouth of Sedgewick, Alta., at 3 a.m. Friday,just 15kilometres fromthe rural home where theshooting took place, said Graham Burden.

Burden said Robison's father,Ray Robison, told his son, "''You know, you're gonna have to submit.'"

"And Sawyer, he agreed to that,"said Burden. "I'mso proud of him for doing that. I didn't think he would. Ididn't think that I'd see him for10 years, honestly."

Robison's parents, Carol Clarke and Ray Robison,wanting to avoid a standoff, were on their wayto pickup Robison and take him to the RCMPdetachment in Killam, Burden said.

However, police were listening in on thecall and arrived at the gas plant ahead ofRobison's parents, where they arrested him, said Burden.

Robison 'extremely stressed'

At a news conference Friday morning, the RCMP acknowledged Robison was arrested unarmedin the company oftwo otherpeople, but would not specify who.

"As you can imagine, given the circumstances of the last few days, I would characterize his condition as extremely stressed," said assistant commissioner Marianne Ryan. "Apart from that, his physical condition was relatively good."

Police continue tosearchfor the pick-up truckand weaponsRobison was thought to havein his possession, she said.

Ryansaidapublic plea by Burden andRobison's parents Thursday encouraging Robison to turn himself inplayed a significant role in ending the searchpeacefully.

Burden told CBC Clarke called him about the arrest at 5:45 a.m.

"She sounded finally so relieved," said Burden. "You know,it's been such a tremendously stressful couple of days. Iwas just so glad for her. The relief is, it's amazing."

Burden said he too was relieved Robison was arrested peacefully.

"Everybody that knows Sawyer knows that he won'tback down from something where he believes he's in theright," he said. "He won't just lay down and put his hands behind hisback."

Officers recovering

Robison faces two charges of attempted murder in the shooting Tuesdayof two officers from the Killam detachment.

Const. Sheldon Shah and Const. Sidney Gaudette, were shot while they werewith two other officersto execute a search warrant at the home for a .45-calibre handgun owned by Robison.

Shah and Gaudette are recovering in Edmonton hospitals with non-life-threatening wounds.

"I think certainly the people of Killam wanted this resolved peacefully, without further incident," said RCMP Sgt. Patrick Webb.

"They got their wish," he said. "They can now go back and just be peaceful in their community again."

Killam Mayor Bud James called the arrest good news.

"This has been very disturbingand unsettling for our area, and I know our citizens will be relieved at this turn of events," he said.

"I'm sure this has been incredibly stressful on Mr. Robison's family as well, so this is also good news for them."

Police believe Robison was in the house at the time of the shooting and left before the house was surrounded by tactical units.

Police eventuallyfound Robison's uncle, Brad Clarke,dead in the house.

On Thursday, Burden and Robison's parentsasked Robison to turn himself in with his father urging him to "swallow your hurt" and come home.

The vehicle RCMP believe Robison used to leave the property has not yet been found.

On Friday afternoon, the RCMP sent out aplea to the public,asking anyone who finds the black 2000 Chevrolet Silverado with Alberta licence plate UZE 545 not to touch it.

Police believe the vehicle, which may contain weapons, couldhave been leftin a wooded area or in an abandoned building, likely somewhere within a 100 kilometre radius of Killam.

RCMP are asking anyone who sees the vehicle not to go near it, but to call 911 or the tip line at 1-780-385-3502.