In a press conference, Chief Const. Dean Duthie gave an update on the circumstances and background of the three Saanich officers who were shot in the June 28 incident, but did not release their identities. The most seriously injured officer remains in intensive care and has undergone three surgeries, Duthie said, adding the officer has eight years of service with the department and has served in frontline patrol, community engagement and most recently with the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team. Duthie said the officer is “showing signs of improvement day by day” and is able to have brief conversations with his family and close friends. Another officer who remains in stable condition in hospital continues to recover, and Duthie said he visited with the officer on Monday “which, let me tell you, was extremely emotional and positive.” This officer has eight years of service with SPD during which he has served in patrol, community engagement and GVERT. A third officer who was released from the hospital and returned home has seven years of service with the department and 2.5 years at another department before that. He has served in patrol, detective division and GVERT. “There will be more surgeries.” Saanich Police Chief Duthie says the officer in the ICU who has already had three surgeries will have more surgeries in the coming days. — Kori Sidaway (@korisidaway) July 5, 2022 Three Victoria Police officers serving at GVERT were also injured in the shooting, with one remaining in hospital as of Saturday with serious injuries. A GoFundMe started by the Saanich and Victoria police unions to help the injured officers recover had already raised $180,000 as of Tuesday. Saanich police initially said they would release the names of the three injured Saanich officers on Tuesday, but in a briefing half an hour before the press conference, they said they would not release that information. Duthie explained that he changed his mind after speaking with injured police officers and their families. While he declined to share more about the extent of their injuries, he said they are “still being fully discovered.” “My emphasis and priority, as is the community, is the health and wellness of these people,” he said, adding that he didn’t want to risk negatively impacting the healing process. The District of Saanich announced Tuesday it will light up city hall and the Craigflower Bridge blue as a show of support for the Saanich Police Department “and all officers in the area.” We will light up City Hall and the Craigflower Bridge in blue as a show of staff and community support for our Police Department and all officers in the area. Thanks for keeping us safe! 👮♂️👮♀️ pic.twitter.com/dYmF91LETU — Saanich Area (@saanich) July 5, 2022 On Sunday, police finally reopened an area surrounding the shooting, which occurred outside the Bank of Montreal in the 3600 block of Shelbourne Street. A day earlier, they identified the dead shooting suspects as twin brothers Duncan, Matthew and Isaac Achterlony. Neither had a criminal record and the pair were not known to police. The brothers’ family is cooperating with investigators. Watch the full press conference here:
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