Saanich shooters not yet identified, police ask public for information on vehicle

RCMP are working alongside the BC Coroner’s Service in an effort to identify the two suspects killed by police in an attempted bank robbery in Saanich on Tuesday.

The incident resulted in gunfire, with six officers ultimately hurt and two suspects killed at the scene.

Police are also asking the public for help piecing together what happened, focusing in on the car that was used during the robbery.

“It is described as a white 1992 Toyota Camry – 4 doors with two black racing stripes over the hood and roof. We are asking anyone who may have any information about this vehicle or it’s movements in the week prior to Tuesday to please contact VIIMCU,” says Cpl. Alex Bérubé in a statement.

Bérubé added that several firearms were recovered at the site.

(Photo credit: RCMP E Division)

Related article: Saanich bank shooting leaves 6 police officers hurt, 2 suspects dead

Shocked yet relieved: That’s how the mayor of Saanich is feeling after the attempted armed bank robbery was thwarted by police.

“Right now, I think the community is experiencing some real genuine motions of shock, dismay, but also relief — relief — and mixed with the relief, befuddlement. Of course, it was shocking, horrendous to have this event,” Mayor Fred Haynes told CityNews Wednesday.

“As you know, and as your listeners know, our men and women in uniform go to work every day not entirely sure if they’re going to come home.”

Investigators say the suspects were “heavily armed,” with body armour reported. The situation also forced evacuations of nearby buildings ordered and shelter-in-place advisories issued for some time Tuesday. At one point, it was believed there was a third potential suspect, though police said Tuesday they had “not uncovered further indication” of that.

However, on Wednesday, police noted that, while they didn’t believe there was a risk to the public, they could not definitively rule out the possibility there was a third suspect.

A potential explosive device found in a vehicle at the scene prompted police to clear out the neighbourhood.

“As the scene was being assessed yesterday a vehicle, we now believe is associated with the suspects, was found to have multiple improvised explosive devices in it.  The RCMP Provincial Explosive Disposal Unit was called in to further assess the devices,” says Bérubé .

Some of the officers were seriously hurt, requiring surgery. Three remain in hospital, one in ICU, while the three others have been released.

“I’m awestruck. When you look at the video of officers running into the line of fire to save the residents of Saanich that they swore an oath to, what a call of duty,” said Haynes. 

He notes this event not only traumatized those close to police — the entire community was affected, as were the bank employees, whom he says were level-headed in the face of a dangerous situation.

“They were heroes — heroes — at work amongst us yesterday. Heroes both in the bank, among the staff and the residents, and I know the bank will be coming up with their trauma work following this. We know that the residents themselves played a part in keeping it as safe as they could so that the emergency response team could react,” he explained.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the culture and the leadership of these individuals who put the thoughts of their own family out of their head … so they could step into the line of active fire to control the situation,” he added, once again speaking of police.

But shock remains the main sentiment for many, including Haynes.

“It’s a pure sense of disbelief. I mean, who robs a bank on the peninsula of a fingertip of an island? It’s a befuddlement on what was going on,” the mayor said.

“However, we hear from the eyewitnesses that the actual perpetrators, who are deceased now, were very calm and collected — this is eye witness accounts, this is not from the police, right now the police have not released any information on the investigation or the officers’ injuries.”

Reaction to the shooting began pouring in from across the country in the hours it unfolded.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was among those to express his support, saying in a tweet, “Like many people across the country, I am shocked and saddened by the violence in Saanich, British Columbia.”

“I’m keeping the police officers who were injured in today’s shooting – and their colleagues who also rushed towards danger to keep people safe – in my thoughts,” he added.

Like many people across the country, I am shocked and saddened by the violence in Saanich, British Columbia. I’m keeping the police officers who were injured in today’s shooting – and their colleagues who also rushed towards danger to keep people safe – in my thoughts.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 29, 2022

B.C. Premier John Horgan also addressed the matter in an unrelated news conference Tuesday.

“I want to at the outset say that my thoughts are with the families of those who have been affected by violence in my home community on Vancouver Island. My thoughts are with them and I know that Minister (Mike) Farnworth and others will have more to say as information becomes available,” he said.

Meanwhile, police chiefs from across Canada were also sharing their support.

The @TorontoPolice sends our support to the Saanich community and the members of the @SaanichPolice and @VicPDCanada. Multiple officers were shot and injured in the line of duty today. We stand with their families and hope for the full recovery of each officer. #GVERT

— Retired Chief James Ramer (@jamesramertps) June 29, 2022

Sending our support to members of @SaanichPolice & @vicpdcanada following an incident earlier today. You're in our thoughts and we are hopeful for a full and quick recovery of your officers #bravery

— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) June 28, 2022

The officers hurt are all members of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team. Three work for the Saanich Police Department while the other three work for the Victoria Police Department.

In a news conference Tuesday, Saanich Police Chief Constable Dean Duthie said their injuries varied in severity, with some more seriously hurt and requiring surgery.

The Independent Investigations Office, which examines all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, has been called in to look at the actions of the officers in the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the toll free hotline at 1-855-446-8477.

As well, you can contact VIIMCU at 250-380-6211.