Two suspects dead, six officers injured in B.C. bank shooting

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SAANICH, B.C. — Two theft suspects believed to be carrying physique armour died in a barrage of bullets exchanged with police outdoors a financial institution in Saanich, B.C., on Tuesday.

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Six members of the Larger Victoria emergency response group have been additionally damage, three of them critically, police stated.

Saanich Chief Const. Dean Duthie stated properties within the space additionally needed to be evacuated as police investigated a possible explosive gadget in a automobile associated to the suspects.

He stated he’s by no means seen this degree of violence in Saanich within the 27 years he’s served on the drive.

“That is one thing that shakes a neighborhood,” Duthie advised the media outdoors the Saanich detachment. “Individuals are going to be affected by this and we’re cognizant of this.”

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Duthie stated police consider some officers shall be launched from hospital quickly, whereas others have extra critical accidents and had surgical procedure.

Officers have been known as to a report that armed males had entered a Financial institution of Montreal department, however Duthie stated the taking pictures began when the suspects left the financial institution, making a scenario that was very harmful for the general public.

“I don’t know who fired first at this level. However there have been a number of gunshots that have been fired.”

He stated the 2 suspects shot by police died on the scene.

Duthie stated he was grateful that no clients, financial institution staff or members of the general public have been injured within the shootout.

“From what I’ve described to you and what I find out about that chaotic, tragic, dynamic, violent scene, the truth that no residents have been injured in any approach is really superb.”

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Jacob McAndrews, proprietor of Gordon Head Paintworks in Victoria, had pulled right into a sushi restaurant subsequent to the financial institution when he stated he noticed police sitting with assault rifles on the nook.

“I requested them if I ought to go away, and so they stated, simply park within the nook, and duck down.”

That’s when McAndrews stated he began filming.

His video reveals a police canine barking because it leads the armed officers round a nook. Sounds of dozens of gunshots observe.

McAndrews described the scene as “fairly scary.”

“That is the primary time I ever heard gunshots in Victoria,” he stated. “Hopefully, it was a one-off factor.”

Duthie stated the emergency response group occurred to be deployed Tuesday and wasn’t removed from the scene.

“Their fast response was invaluable and introduced this case to a fast resolve. We’re so grateful for his or her service.”

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Saanich is a neighborhood of about 120,000 inside the higher Victoria space on Vancouver Island. It has its personal police drive.

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The Larger Victoria emergency response group is a mix of officers from totally different detachments. Three of the officers damage are from Saanich, whereas the opposite three are from Victoria.

The Financial institution of Montreal stated in an announcement that it was deeply saddened to listen to of the incident and thanked emergency responders for his or her quick help in protecting the general public protected.

“The security and safety of our clients and staff is our precedence and our ideas are with each particular person impacted by at the moment’s occasions,” it stated.

Tracy Yarr stated she went round her home locking the doorways and shuttering her home windows quickly after the police put out an advisory telling folks to remain inside and keep away from the realm.

“I’ve locked every little thing down,” she stated, including the taking pictures had taken away her sense of consolation and calm.

“That is actually astounding for us,” she stated. “I imply, stunning.”

Public Security Minister Mike Farnworth launched an announcement saying his ideas are with the officers, their households, associates and colleagues and he needs them a fast restoration.

Farnworth stated the taking pictures is a robust reminder of the essential function cops play in protecting neighbourhoods protected.

“As at all times, first responders and volunteers additionally stepped up shortly to assist, and we really recognize their dedication.”

— With information from Hina Alam in Vancouver