Several people were shot dead and two suspects were arrested after an attempted bank robbery in Saanic, BC
People in the area of North Dairy Road to Cedar Hill Cross Road and between Richmond Road to Cedar Hill Road are advised to take shelter on the spot while police search for a possible third suspect.
Numerous officers responded to a report of armed robbers at a bank in block 3600 on Shelburn Street before noon on Tuesday.
Witness Brenda Boyd told CTV News that she was walking near the intersection of Shelburn and Pierre streets when she heard at least 25 shots around 11:30 a.m.
She said a police officer hiding behind a bush shouted at her to leave the area immediately.
Boyd also said she saw at least three people being taken on stretchers in waiting ambulances.
Saanic police confirmed that several people were injured in the incident. (CTV news)
Another witness said he was at a nearby bicycle shop when he saw “two policemen shot” and saw another man lying on the ground in a parking lot.
“It was just awful,” said Fabien Cusino. – Policemen were dragged behind a police van.
All traffic is still diverted from the area to have access to police vehicles and medical personnel.
“Officers responded to a report of armed suspects at a bank in the 3600-blk of Shelbourne St.,” Saanic police said in a statement on their Twitter account at 12:06 p.m. “There was an exchange of gunfire. Several people were injured. Please continue to avoid the area. “
Saanic police confirmed that several people were injured in the incident. (CTV news)
“IT WAS FAST SHOOTING”
Cleo Gagner and her 15-year-old son were buying cat food at a veterinary clinic near Bank of Montreal on Shelbourne Street when she said they heard something that sounded like two shots.
“Boom, boom,” she told CTV News minutes after the incident. “And then it was a quick shot. A lot of shots from a lot of shooters.”
She estimated that they heard 40 to 50 shots in quick succession.
“Then a police officer from Saanic started driving up to the BMO with the door open,” she said. “He got out of his vehicle, pulled out his gun … and then the shooting escalated and he withdrew.”
The woman said she and her son ran back to the vet’s office and took shelter while things outside calmed down.
Saanic Mayor Fred Haynes, in a brief statement on his Twitter account on Tuesday, said: “Our hearts are in front of our employees, bank staff and residents – no words can describe how horrible this is.”
This is an evolving story. Check again for updates.
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