The updated situation of the six male officers – three from the Saanich department and three from Victoria – was reported to the media at Saanich Police Headquarters on Wednesday afternoon. “Three police officers were released from the hospital after receiving medical treatment and are now recovering at home with their families,” said Chief Const. Dean Duthie, accompanied by senior police officers from the Saanich and Victoria Departments. The other three suffered injuries that were initially considered life-threatening, he added. One remains in the intensive care unit and, along with another officer who remains in the hospital, will need additional surgery and treatment in the coming months. All police officers were shot in exchange for two gunmen leaving the BMO bank on Shelbourne and Pear streets. The two suspects in a bank robbery were shot by police. While police are continuing to investigate the possibility of a third suspect, Wednesday’s briefing revealed that no further information has been revealed that indicates danger to the public. Duthie had said on Tuesday “vague information” about a possible third suspect leading to a shelter set up in a wide area around the crime scene before being lifted that night. An explosive device found Tuesday in a vehicle linked to the suspects was secured by the BC RCMP Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, which transported it to the Hartland landfill on Wednesday for destruction, Duthy said. The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) is in charge of the criminal investigation, while the BC Independent Investigation Office (IIO) is overseeing police action during the incident. As the area around the bank remains an active crime scene, many nearby businesses remain closed behind a police tape, including the entire Shelbourne Plaza and those along the west side of Shelbourne Street between Pear Street and Church Avenue. Shelbourne remained closed to traffic and pedestrians between Cedar Hill Cross Road and Donnelly Avenue and all side roads between them had no access to Shelbourne. No timetable can be set for the reopening of the businesses until the investigation is completed, the chief said. Little new information about the still-early investigation was revealed at Wednesday’s press conference, including the identities of the two dead, the timing of the incident and whether police discovered stolen money from the bank. Duthie raised questions about the inquiry with VIIMCU RCMP spokesman Sgt. Chris Manseau, who promised the media that more information would be provided as soon as it became available. “Everyone has seen the videos on the Internet, we are still searching through mountains of evidence that are constantly appearing. “More information will be broadcast in the future, but at the moment I can not talk about details,” said Manseau. Asked about GVERT’s quick response on stage, Duthie said he was in another unrelated business at the time and responded to the bank’s situation as it was a higher priority. Members of the public with a video of the incident are invited to submit it to saanichpd.ca.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/22-12262. Anyone with information who has not yet spoken to the police should call the VIIMCU hotline at 250-380-6211. READ MORE: Two police officers underwent surgery, the third at the hospital after the deadly shooting at Saanich Bank READ MORE: Saanich Square remains closed, forensic service removes corpses from bank shooting scene READ MORE: 2 suspects killed, 6 police officers shot after bank robbery in Saanich READ MORE: Witnesses report “at least 50” shootings following bank shootings in Saanich Do you have a story tip? Email: [email protected] Follow us on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Armed robbery Saanich Saanich West Shore Police Department
