Shooting at Captain's Quarters: New details emerge about Brandon Phillips' arrest

There are new details surrounding the arrest Saturday evening of Brandon Phillips, the 27-year-old charged in connection with the shooting death of Larry Wellman.

• Brandon Phillips charged in Captain's Quarters hotel slaying
• Larry Wellman's daughter after fatal shooting: 'I'm proud of him'

CBC News has learned that Phillips and his girlfriend, Jade Ball, were staying at30-AQuidiVidiRoad in St. John'swhen police executed a search warrant on the premises.

Phillips' mother, Deborah Phillips, was also present, along with another female.

Jade Ball is thedaughter of Dwight Ball, leader of the Liberal Party ofNewfoundland and Labrador.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabularyallege Phillips is responsible forWellman'sdeath, and have charged him with first-degree murder and armed robbery.

Phillips' arrest ended a week-long manhunt for a suspect in the shooting death of Wellman at theCaptain's Quarters Hotel on Kings Bridge Road just before midnight on Oct. 3.

Wellman, 63, was a patron in the bar when he intervened in the robbery attempt.

The robber, who was carrying a firearm, shot Wellman, who later died.

The attempted robbery and shooting wererecorded by the bar's surveillance cameras.

Phillips remains in custody

Police have released very little information, but there's no indication to suggest Jade Ball is facing any charges. Ball and Phillips' mother werequestioned, and later released, sources say.

CBC News requested an interview Tuesday with Dwight Ball, whose party has been leading in public opinion polls leading towardthe Nov. 30 provincial general election.

If that happens, Ball would become the province's 13th premier.

The Liberal leaderreleased a statement on Sunday, saying he would not commentin the middle of the RNC investigation.

The Liberal leader also expressed his condolences to the family of Larry Wellman.

Asked for comment Tuesday, Ball's office said it had nothing more to say about the matter.

Court appearance expected on Friday

As for Phillips, heremains in police custody, and is scheduled to make another court appearance on Friday.

He is the sonof convicted killerEric James Squires, who was sent to prison in 1998 for the first-degree murderof Nina Walsh.

The firearm believed to have been used in the shooting has been recovered, police say, though it's not clear where it was found.

It's also not clear how police connectedPhillips tothe robbery and shooting, or if police suspect there were accomplices.

The RNC had scheduled a news briefing onSunday, but later cancelled the event at the last moment.

The RNC had nothing to say publicly about the investigation on Tuesday, and there's no word on when investigators plan to give an update.

Meanwhile, CBC News has also learned that Dwight Ball took part in a previously scheduled conference call Sunday night with Liberal candidates.

Ball offered his reassurances to the candidates, and said the matter would work its way through the court system, sources say.