Two suspects were killed in a brazen bank robbery Tuesday in Saanich, which also left six Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) officers with gunshot wounds after police and the suspects exchanged fire outside the bank.

In an update shortly before 6:30 p.m. police said they did not uncover any further indication of a potential third suspect and lifted a shelter-in-place advisory. The 3600-block of Shelbourne Street remained closed while emergency crews awaited the arrival of the RCMP bomb squad from the mainland due to a potential explosive device in a vehicle believed to be associated with the suspects.

含羞草研究社淭he information is vague on this and we含羞草研究社檙e trying to confirm it,含羞草研究社� Saanich police Chief Dean Duthie said during a late afternoon press conference at department headquarters. 含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檙e taking all safety precautions necessary, we含羞草研究社檝e asked all those areas around the bank to remain in their houses and lock their doors.含羞草研究社�

The police plan to keep the public updated, he said, through media and social media.

Three of the injured GVERT officers are members of the Saanich Police Department, while the others are members of the Victoria Police Department. Both departments are standing behind all of their members and their families at this traumatic time, both Duthie and acting VicPD Chief Colin Watson said.

While he was unable to elaborate on the exact condition of the officers hospitalized, Duthie said in a prepared statement, 含羞草研究社渨e anticipate that some officers will be released following emergency treatment, whereas other officers sustained serious injuries and have been taken into surgery.含羞草研究社�

No civilians were injured during the initial incident.

含羞草研究社淔rom what I know about that chaotic, tragic, dynamic, violent scene, the fact that no citizens were injured in any way is truly amazing and I含羞草研究社檓 so grateful for it. The officers did get injured because they were doing what they signed up to do, to protect the public, to respond to the danger and keep people safe,含羞草研究社� Duthie said.

More updates will be made available about the condition of officers as they become available.

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Police responded shortly after 11 a.m. June 28 after receiving reports that two armed men had entered a bank in the 3600-block of Shelbourne Street.

Police, including members of the GVERT who Duthie said happened to be on operation in the area, encountered the suspects as they were leaving the bank. During an exchange of gunfire 含羞草研究社� witnesses who spoke to Black Press Media estimated they heard dozens of shots fired 含羞草研究社� two suspects were shot by police and died at the scene. Duthie confirmed a report that the suspects were wearing some kind of body armour during the robbery.

A shelter-in-place advisory was issued for the area of North Dairy Road to Cedar Hill Cross Road and Richmond Road to Cedar Hill Road before being lifted.

含羞草研究社淓very day, police officers put their lives on the line to protect our communities. Today is a powerful reminder of the crucial role police officers play in keeping our neighbourhoods secure,含羞草研究社� said B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, in a statement. 含羞草研究社淚 want to thank the Saanich and Victoria police departments, along with the neighbouring policing agencies in the Greater Victoria region, including the RCMP, Oak Bay police and Central Saanich police departments, for their assistance and support. As always, first responders and volunteers also stepped up quickly to help, and we truly appreciate their dedication.含羞草研究社�

Like many people across the country, I am shocked and saddened by the violence in Saanich, British Columbia. I含羞草研究社檓 keeping the police officers who were injured in today含羞草研究社檚 shooting 含羞草研究社� and their colleagues who also rushed towards danger to keep people safe 含羞草研究社� in my thoughts.

含羞草研究社� Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement on social media addressing the incident.

含羞草研究社淟ike many people across the country, I am shocked and saddened by the violence in Saanich 含羞草研究社� I含羞草研究社檓 keeping the police officers who were injured in today含羞草研究社檚 shooting 含羞草研究社� and their colleagues who also rushed towards danger to keep people safe 含羞草研究社� in my thoughts,含羞草研究社� he wrote.

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) is investigating this incident, as happens with all shootings involving B.C. police officers.

Do you have a story tip? Email: vnc.editorial@blackpress.ca.

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