An Edmonton man who survived being shot during a deadly armed robbery spent Saturday among friends at a fundraiser held in his honour.

Cpl. Matt Schuman, his fiancée and the couple’s young son attended the barbeque and antique car show put on his fellow military firefighters at the Edmonton Garrison.

Mike Yorkston calls his close friend's recovery 'an absolute miracle.' (CBC News)

"It's an absolute miracle. Matt got shot in the head and here he is, with us today," said family friend Mike Yorkston.

Schuman, who worked a second job as an armed guard for G4S Security, one of four people shot as they refilled ATMs at the University of Alberta Campus in June.

Three of Schuman’s fellow guards were killed. A fifth guard, Travis Baumgartner, was the subject of an international manhunt before being arrested trying to cross into the United States the day after the shooting. He now faces murder and attempted murder charges.

The fundraiser was planned not only to raise money for the family during Schuman’s recovery, Yorkston said, but also as an event to give them a chance to spend time among friends.

Difficult recovery

Schuman’s recovery has been difficult, Yorkston said, but he has healed remarkably in the months since the shooting.

"Of course he's got some disabilities — it's a long road of recovery. But like I said, he's got a strong head on his shoulders,” Yorkston said. “If you tell him he can’t do something, he’ll prove you wrong."

Schuman and his family declined to talk to the media, but has told friends that he is grateful for the community’s support.

In August, Crown prosecutors filed a direct indictment against Baumgartner, which means the Crown seeks to skip a preliminary hearing and proceed directly to trial. Baumgartner faces three counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder and four counts of robbery with a firearm.

At the time, the families of two of the slain guards told CBC they were pleased with the decision to fast-track the case.