Armed ERT unit was near Saanich bank on another call just before suspects emerged with guns, police chief says

The Better Victoria Emergency Response Crew (GVERT) was close by at an unrelated name and managed to rapidly redeploy, arriving in time to interact two armed suspects who had been shot useless earlier this week exiting a Saanich financial institution, the police division’s chief advised reporters at a information convention Thursday.
Saanich police Chief Dean Duthie stated the ERT’s tactical medical unit was capable of render quick help and credit their actions with saving the lives of no less than three law enforcement officials wounded within the gunfight.
Duthie advised reporters the workforce did an impressive job tending to their wounds earlier than they had been taken to hospital.
Two suspects — whom Duthie stated have nonetheless not been recognized — had been leaving the Financial institution of Montreal on Shelbourne Road because the tactical workforce arrived, he stated, sparking a gunfight that left each theft suspects useless and 6 officers wounded.
“We’re working with the B.C. Coroner Service as a way to positively determine the 2 male suspects,” Duthie stated Thursday.
Three of the wounded law enforcement officials stay in hospital. Duthie says the division has been moved by the group help and is deeply appreciative.
“On behalf of our injured officers, their household, associates and everybody within the police group, we thank everybody for his or her heat needs.”

RCMP spokesperson Alex Bérubé advised the information convention the investigation continues to be in its early phases and couldn’t present additional particulars on what firearms the suspects had been carrying or the character of the explosives present in a suspect’s automobile. The explosives had been later destroyed at an area landfill.
Bérubé described the car as a four-door, white 1992 Toyota Camry with black racing stripes over the hood and roof and requested anybody with details about it or its motion earlier than Tuesday to contact police.

He stated investigators proceed to course of the “massive” crime scene across the Financial institution of Montreal and requested members of the general public and native companies to proceed being affected person whereas the world is closed.
“This [investigation] takes appreciable time and assets to finish,” he stated.
Police say they nonetheless have not dominated out the doable involvement of a 3rd suspect however haven’t any info that might make them consider there may be a hazard to the general public.