2 suspects dead, 6 police officers
wounded in exchange of gunfire
at Saanich, B.C., bank
Police say two suspects are dead, and six members of the Greater
Victoria Emergency Response Team are in the hospital following an
exchange of gunfire at a bank in Saanich, B.C., on Tuesday.
Officers will hold the scene overnight while the area remains closed off, Saanich police announced around 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Homes and businesses near the bank, which were evacuated earlier
Tuesday due to the presence of a potential explosive device in a car
linked to the suspects, will remain evacuated overnight. The RCMP
explosive disposal unit is on the scene.
Police lifted a shelter in place advisory just after 6 p.m., saying there
was no further indication that a third suspect was involved.
No bank employees, customers or members of the public are
believed to have been injured.
Officers were called when two armed men believed to be wearing
body armour entered a bank on Shelbourne Street at approximately
11 a.m Tuesday.
WATCH | Police exchange gunfire with suspects outside Saanich
bank:
In a media briefing Tuesday afternoon, Saanich police Chief Dean
Duthie said the shooting started when the suspects left the bank,
creating a situation that was very dangerous for the public.
"I don't know who fired first at this point. But there were multiple
gunshots that were fired. And where we're at, I don't know."
Six officers were shot and taken to the hospital. Three of them are
members of the Saanich Police Department, and three are members
of the Victoria Police Department.
Police said three officers are expected to be released after treatment,
while three have sustained serious injuries and are in surgery.
"We are going to stay strong through this. We are going to care for
our members, care for their families ... and we are going to move
forward," said Duthie.
Duthie said he had never seen a situation like it in his 27 years
with the Saanich Police Department.
"From what I know about that chaotic, tragic, dynamic, violent scene,
the fact that no citizens were injured in any way is truly amazing."
The Bank of Montreal told CBC in an emailed statement it is deeply
saddened by the incident and thanked emergency responders for
their quick response.
"Our thoughts are with every person impacted by today's events."
What sounded like automatic gunfire
Cleo Gagner was getting into her car with her young son after visiting
a nearby veterinarian's office when she said she heard up to 50
gunshots from different guns and said it sounded like automatic
gunfire.
"It was terrifying. I've heard a gunshot or two before. I've never
heard that many."
She said a police vehicle pulled up beside her, an officer jumped
out with his gun drawn, and the police presence continued to escalate.
Gagner said she and her son went back into the vet's office, where
Christopher Lee Ford, who lives near the bank, said he also heard
dozen of shots.
"My daughter was doing some school work at the table, and all of a
sudden, you just hear a hail of bullets," he said.
He said his family has evacuated the area and plans to stay with
family in another neighbourhood for the night.
Joan Flood lives across the street from the BMO.
She said after she heard the first gunshot, she looked out her
window to see police running across the front of the bank with
their guns drawn.
"At that time then, there were a lot of shots, lots and lots. I would
say it was automatic fire because they had big guns; they didn't
have handguns."
Flood said she saw a person come out from behind the bank.
"They were bent over a little bit. Then they crawled for a bit. Then
they lay there ... very soon it was all over except for the person
lying on the ground who was there for quite a while."
Provincial leaders express concern, gratitude
During a separate news conference this afternoon, Premier John
Horgan expressed his concern for the people in the area.
"My thoughts are with those who have been affected by violence in
my home community on Vancouver Island," he said.
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth thanked the police in a
statement released Tuesday evening.
"Today is a powerful reminder of the crucial role police officers play
in keeping our neighbourhoods secure. My government and I deeply
appreciate their courage, professionalism and commitment."
Farnworth said the incident is ongoing and under active investigation.
Saanich police are asking anyone with video footage of the incident
to send it to them through their evidence submission portal.
