Saanich: Suspects deceased, multiple gvert officers shot during ongoing incident

Two suspects are deceased and several members of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) have been transported to hospital during an ongoing incident at a bank in Saanich today. A shelter in place advisory remains in effect for the area of North Dairy Road to Cedar Hill Cross Road, and Richmond Road to Cedar Hill Road as officers search for a potential third suspect.

At approximately 11 a.m. this morning officers with Saanich Police, GVERT, and VicPD responded to a report that two armed men had entered a bank in the 3600-block of Shelbourne Street in Saanich. Multiple officers responded to the scene and encountered the armed suspects who fired at police. Two suspects were shot by police and died at the scene.

Six GVERT officers suffered gunshot wounds and were transported to hospital. We anticipate that some officers will be released following emergency treatment, whereas other officers sustained serious injuries and have been taken into surgery. We will provide further updates on the condition of these officers as we are able.

Three of the GVERT officers are members of Saanich Police. Three of the GVERT officers are members of VicPD.

At this time, we do not believe that any bank employees, bank customers, or members of the public were physically injured in this incident.

This remains an ongoing police incident with a heavy police presence in the area.

Homes and businesses in close proximity to the scene of the incident have been evacuated due to the presence of a potential explosive device in a vehicle associated to the suspects.

We will provide further updates with respect to the emergency response, this investigation, and the welfare of our officers. We appreciate the ongoing support for our officers and community during this time.

As with all officer-involved shootings in British Columbia, the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) is also investigating this incident.