Explosive devices in vehicle connected to B.C. bank robbers killed

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SAANICH, B.C. — A number of explosive units have been present in a automobile associated to the 2 suspects who have been gunned down exterior a financial institution in Saanich, B.C.

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Saanich Chief Const. Dean Duthie mentioned Wednesday an RCMP explosive disposal unit was in a position to switch the units from the automobile to a neighborhood landfill and destroy them.

Police had evacuated the world shortly after the capturing on Tuesday because the RCMP’s explosives disposal unit was referred to as in.

Six officers have been shot and two suspects have been killed within the shootout with police on Tuesday.

Duthie mentioned three of the officers stay in hospital, together with one who’s in intensive care, whereas one other officer would require extra surgical procedures.

He mentioned he spoke with one of many officers in hospital and mentioned the police division might be there to assist him.

“We’re right here for his household … to let him know that the policing group is behind him 100 per cent.”

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The chief mentioned police are nonetheless investigating the potential of a 3rd suspect, though they don’t imagine there’s a danger to the general public.

He mentioned police have been performing on obscure data.

“Our aim was to maintain the general public secure,” he mentioned of police ordering residents close to the financial institution to remain inside on Tuesday.

Police mentioned in an announcement that they aren’t in a position to verify identities, background or motive of the suspects.

Duthie mentioned work is underway to attempt to verify the suspects’ names.

Duthie has checked out a lot of the video footage of the incident and mentioned it’s a miracle that nobody else died.

“It’s astonishing that there was no different citizen or member of the general public injured,” he mentioned, crediting the short actions of officers who responded.

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“Each patrol officers and Better Victoria emergency response officers (put) themselves in hurt’s approach to deliver it to a profitable and secure conclusion as shortly as potential.”

A girl trapped contained in the financial institution through the theft informed CFAX radio she was in a gathering with the supervisor when she heard a loud explosion after which silence.

Shelli Fryer, 59, of Langford mentioned she regarded from the doorway and some toes from her was “a person in full assault gear, holding an assault rifle.”

Fryer mentioned the masked man was sporting all black, had an armoured vest over his jacket and was holding a black rifle that was shorter and stockier than what she was used to seeing within the media.

“The power from them was utterly calm,” she mentioned.

She heard one gunman quietly say to the supervisor, “vault,” and the supervisor handed him the keys they usually each walked out of the workplace, she mentioned.

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Fryer mentioned the opposite suspect was pacing the ground, simply strolling forwards and backwards previous the workplace, “like he was going for a stroll within the park, simply pacing as if he was ready for one thing.”

The robbers put all 22 individuals who have been within the financial institution in opposition to a wall in a again hallway they usually waited for what felt like an eternity, she mentioned. “We heard nothing in any respect of what was transpiring exterior, we couldn’t hear sirens.”

She heard in a loud voice, “Police!” after which a hail of gunfire, and everyone ran to cover.

Fryer mentioned each one of many law enforcement officials concerned within the “completely insane incident” dealt with themselves professionally, after which later handled those that have been within the financial institution with kindness and concern.