Saanic police revoked the shelter order, saying it had not revealed any additional signs of a potential third suspect.
Two suspects were killed and six members of Victoria’s emergency response team were injured in a shootout at the Bank of Montreal on Shelbourne Street in Saanich on Tuesday morning.
The incident, described as “chaotic, tragic and violent” by Saanich Police Chief Dean Duty, began around 11 a.m. when officers responded to a signal that two heavily armed men had entered the bank at 3,600 blocks on Shelburn Street, south of Cedar Hill Cross Road.
Numerous officers from Saanic, Victoria and GVERT responded and came across two suspects shooting at police. Police returned fire and the two suspects died on the spot.
Three Saanic officers and three Victoria officers, all members of GVERT, were injured. Three police officers are expected to be released after treatment, Duty said. The other three have much more serious injuries and were taken to surgery.
“This is a very difficult day for us here at the Saanic Police Department, at the Victoria Police Department and at the entire Saanic community,” Duty said at a late afternoon press conference. “We keep their families informed and do our best to support them, as well as to support all our staff.”
Acting Victoria Police Chief Colin Watson said officers were life-threatening and the department was severely affected.
“There is a sense of sadness and disappointment about what happened, but also a sense of determination to do the best job possible in very difficult circumstances,” Watson said. “It’s a kind of event that we hope we never see. But that’s also why we provide training and prepare our officers for the worst day – and this is one of those days. “
Both police chiefs stressed that officers would continue to respond to calls for help.
“All our sworn members, civilian members, volunteers feel what happened today and we are here for them and will continue to be here for them all this time. Because it will not last a day, two days, it will be long-lasting. “We will be strong and we will be the police department on which we depend day in and day out,” Duty said.
Surprisingly, no citizens were injured, Duty said. GVERT was also nearby and their quick response was invaluable, he said.
Police did not say why GVERT was already deployed and whether they had received information in advance about the bank robbery.
Homes and businesses near the bank were evacuated when police found a “potential explosive device” in a white van believed to be driven by the suspects. The BC RCMP Explosives Disposal Unit was called in to handle the device.
Police received “unclear information” about a third suspect and searched the area with police dogs and a helicopter, but the order to shelter nearby residents was revoked at 6pm after officers found no more evidence of another suspect.
Police have no information on the men who were shot and killed, Duty said.
A dark-haired man wearing motorcycle boots, bulletproof vests, hockey pants and a military jacket with a Canadian flag on his shoulder was seen lying motionless in the parking lot in front of the bank. His body was surrounded by what looked like discarded tactical police equipment.
Shortly after 12:30 p.m., about 25 people who were at the bank during the robbery were escorted by armed officers to a waiting bus. Some were crying. Witnesses were taken to police stations for surveillance and testimony.
Dozens of employees remained in front of the bank on Tuesday afternoon, along with at least four ambulances.
Shelbourne Street was blocked by Cedar Hill Cross Road along Pear Street as marked and unmarked police vehicles filled the street. In front of the bank were employees with weapons and dog sleds.
The public was asked to avoid the area.
Charlotte Priest, an assistant at the Lifeline Animal Clinic on the other side of Shelbourne Street from the bank, said several of the clinic’s customers heard the shooting and took refuge in the building. “It simply came to our notice then. So we just closed the blinds and just hid and stayed away from the windows. “
Passers-by also took refuge in the waiting area, Priest said, noting that a police van was parked in the clinic’s driveway.
“There are many companies in the area. It’s kind of shocking to happen here.
“Everyone’s a little shaken.”
Saanic Mayor Fred Haynes wrote on Twitter: “Our hearts are with our employees, bank staff and residents. “No words can describe how awful that is.”
At a nearby St. Michael’s University School, a woman said the school was in a “detention and security” mode, with all outside doors locked and all inside.
The Megson FitzPatrick Insurance Services office on Shelbourne Street had about 20 employees behind closed locked exterior doors.
Jacqueline Neiman, who ran the office on Tuesday, said she heard noises but did not immediately recognize the sound as a shot. Police cars arrived at the scene and alerted their office about the situation.
Everyone is safe, she said. “It’s pretty scary.”
Hannah Young, a pharmacy assistant at Heart Pharmacy in Shelbourne Plaza, across the street from the bank, said she heard “what a shooting it was.” “It simply came to our notice then. I looked outside and saw people coming down to their cars in the parking lot. ”
Young said she was not afraid, but was concerned about the safety of people in the area.
Do we have to close the door? Attract customers inside? Exclude? It was more of a battle or an escape, “Young said. “We saw that they were elderly people sitting outside and we told them that they had to go inside. They spent everyone inside through the windows in the back half of the pharmacy.
Saanich police are asking people who took photos and videos to send them as evidence to saanichpd.ca.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/22-12262.
Jeff Roman, a spokesman for BMO Bank, said in a statement that the company was “deeply saddened” by the incident. “The safety and security of our customers and employees is our priority and our thoughts are with everyone affected by today’s events.”
Roman thanked the emergency services for their quick help and for helping to protect public safety.
Saanic police are leading the investigation, with the help of the RCMP and the Lower Continental Emergency Response Team, among others.
An Island Health official said medical teams at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General Hospitals had stepped up to respond to the incident. Jubilee’s emergency department was briefly restricted to ensure safety, but no hospital was under an orange code for mass casualties, the official said.
“In situations like this, we quickly redeploy staff as needed and implement contingency plans to ensure that our hospitals and staff are in the best position to respond,” Island Health said.
As with all shootings involving officers in British Columbia, the Office of Independent Investigations is investigating.
ldickson@timescolonist.com
cjwilson@timescolonist.com
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