Brandon Phillips charged in Captain's Quarters hotel slaying

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has arrested a man suspected to have shot a hotel patron who tried to stop an armed robbery, ending a week-long manhunt in St. John's.

Brandon Phillips, 27, appeared in courtSundaycharged with first-degree murder in the Oct. 3 shooting of LarryWellmanat the Captain's Quarters Hotel, as well as being charged with armed robbery.

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After police executeda search warrant at a home on Quidi Vidi Road at 6 p.m. Saturday, Phillipswas finally taken into custody around 9 p.m.

The story of Phillips, who was taken into custody without incidenton Saturdayevening, has taken on an unusual twist, as he hadaccording to his ownFacebookpagedated the daughter of Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal Leader Dwight Ball.

In a brief written statement, Ball said he could not comment in the middle of the RNC investigation.

"I would like to express sincere condolences to the family of LarryWellmanfor their tragic loss," he wrote.

"Because this matter is under active investigation and before the courts, it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further."

CBC News has also learned that Phillips is the son of convicted murderer Eric James Squires. Squires was sent to prison in 1998 for the first-degree murder of Nina Walsh.

Phillipswas arrested without incident after police executed a search warrant Saturday evening.Heappearedin court around noon Sunday.

As well, police recovered a firearm during the investigation and said they nowbelieve that any threat to public safety in relation to the shooting has now been eliminated.

The RNC had originally planned to hold a media scrum following Phillips's court appearance.However it has now been postponeduntil Monday or possibly even Tuesday, officers told CBC.

Phillips is alleged to have been involved with the shooting death of Larry Wellman on Oct. 3, during an armed robbery at the Captain's Quarters Hotel on Kings Bridge Road in St. John's.

Wellman, originally from Corner Brook,attempted to intervene during the robbery before being shot, according to police.

The incident led to a week-long manhunt in the Quidi Vidiarea of St. John's, and police had been asking the public to avoid the area and for residents to search their property for "suspicious items."

The area remained taped off and police were still on the scene throughSunday.