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

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

The Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team(GVERT) wasnearby at an unrelated calland managed to quickly redeploy, arriving in time to engage two armed suspectswho were shot dead earlier this week exiting a Saanich bank.

Chief says unit's tactical medical team saved the lives of at least three police officers

Saanich Police chief constable Dean Duthie speaks to reporters on Thursday, June 30, 2022 about a deadly bank robbery two days earlier.
Saanich police Chief Dean Duthie speaks to reporters on Thursday but was unable to offer few new details two days after a deadly bank robbery. (Susana da Silva/CBC)

The Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team(GVERT) wasnearby at an unrelated calland managed to quickly redeploy, arriving in time to engage two armed suspectswho were shot dead earlier this week exiting a Saanich bank, the police department's chieftold reporters at a news conference Thursday.

Saanich police Chief Dean Duthie saidthe ERT's tactical medical unit was able to render immediate assistance and credits their actions with saving the lives of at least three police officers wounded in the gunfight.

Duthie told reportersthe team did an outstanding job tending to their wounds before they were taken to hospital.

Two suspects whom Duthie said have still not been identified were leaving the Bank of Montreal on Shelbourne Streetas the tactical teamarrived, he said, sparking agunfight that left both robbery suspects dead and six officers wounded.

"We're working with the B.C. Coroner Service in order to positively identify the two male suspects," Duthie said Thursday.

Three of the wounded police officers remain in hospital. Duthiesays the department has been moved by the community support and is deeply appreciative.

"Onbehalfof our injured officers, their family, friends and everyone in the police community, we thank everyone for their warm wishes."

Flowers from members of the public are seen on Thursday, June 30, 2022 outside the entrance of Saanich Police Department, after six officers were wounded in a bank robbery two days earlier.
Flowers from members of the public are seen on Thursday, June 30, 2022, outside the entrance to the Saanich Police Department, two days after six officers were wounded in a bank robbery. (Susana da Silva/CBC)

RCMPspokesperson AlexBrub told the news conference the investigation is still in its early stages and could not provide further details on what firearms the suspects were carrying or the nature of the explosives found in a suspect's car. The explosives were later destroyedat a local landfill.

Brub described the vehicle as afour-door, white1992 Toyota Camry with black racing stripes over the hood and roof andasked anyone with information aboutit or its movement before Tuesdayto contact police.

A car police identified as a white four-door 1992 Toyota Camry with black racing stripes over the hood and roof is seen in Saanich, B.C. on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Police say the car was associated with the suspects and are asking for any public tips.
A car police identified as a white four-door 1992 Toyota Camry with black racing stripes over the hood and roof is seen in Saanich, B.C. on Tuesday. Police say the car was associated with the suspects and are asking for any public tips. (CBC News)

He said investigators continue to process the"large" crime scene around the Bank of Montreal and asked members of the public and local businesses to continue being patient while the area is closed.

"This [investigation] takes considerable time and resources to complete," he said.

Police say they still haven't ruled out the possible involvement ofa third suspectbut have no information that would lead them to believe there isa dangerto the public.