B.C. bank shooting leaves 6 police officers hurt, 2 suspects dead

Six police officers have been shot and two suspects are dead after an attempted armed robbery at a bank in Saanich, B.C., Tuesday.

According to a Saanich Police tweet, they “have not uncovered further indication of a potential 3rd suspect.”

UPDATE | We are lifting the shelter in place. We have searched the area & have not uncovered further indication of a potential 3rd suspect. 3600-block of Shelbourne remains closed as we continue to respond to the potential explosive device. #yyj

— Saanich Police (@SaanichPolice) June 29, 2022

“Our response is being augmented and supported by resources from the BC RCMP and our local police partners at VicPD, Central Saanich Police, Oak Bay Police, and Westshore RCMP,” said Saanich Police Chief Constable Dean Duthie.

Police say say gunfire was exchanged after they were called to the bank around 11 a.m. for reports two armed suspects entered the building near Pear and Shelbourne streets.

Officers are evacuating homes & businesses within a close proximity to the scene of the incident – a bank at the intersection of Shelbourne St & Pear St (3600-blk Shelbourne St) – due to the presence of a potential explosive device. Please continue to avoid the area. #yyj

— Saanich Police (@SaanichPolice) June 28, 2022

Investigators say the suspects were “heavily armed,” with body armour reported.

A vehicle found in the area associated with the suspects was found with a potential explosive device inside, police say. That triggered the evacuation of homes and businesses in the surrounding area “to ensure public safety while that potential explosive device is confirmed or determined and safely managed,” Duthie said.

The officers hurt are all members of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team — three Saanich Police and three Victoria Police officers.

Their injuries vary in severity, with some undergoing surgery.

The shelter-in-place advisory that was in place for the area of North Dairy Road to Cedar Hill Road, and Richmond Road to Cedar Hill Road has been lifted.

“Right now, officers from the Saanich Police Department and the Victoria Police Department, together with our partners, are out in our communities responding to calls for service, continuing to keep everyone safe, knowing that some of their friends and colleagues were shot today and are recovering,” said Victoria Police Deputy Chief Colin Watson.

Officers responded to a report of armed suspects at a bank in the 3600-blk of Shelbourne St. There was an exchange of gunfire. Multiple people have been injured. Please continue to avoid the area.

— Saanich Police (@SaanichPolice) June 28, 2022

“To the community of Saanich, I want you to know that despite this very challenging day, police service remains active and the Saanich Police Department and our officers will continue responding to your calls for service,” said Duthie.

He admits this is a situation he’s not experienced in the community.

“In my service with Saanich being just shy of 27 years, there’s been nothing to this extent in my experience.

Jackson Grasky was in the area at the time, stopping for a couple slices of pizza for lunch.

He felt it was odd when he saw an officer with their weapon out, and started to film the incident.

“I just kind of noticed more and more cops coming all around us. Everyone in the parking lot kind of backed away,” says Grasky.

“As we were sitting there the canine unit was really the first one I noticed kind of rushing towards (the bank) … that’s when all the gunfire just started unleashing.”

This is a developing story.