Saanich police officer out of ICU after June 28 bank shooting

Officers with the Saanich and Victoria police departments are making strides in their recovery, following a shooting at a bank nearly two weeks ago that six officers hurt.

One of the victims, who as of last week was still in the Intensive Care Unit, has now been transferred out of the ICU. He and another Saanich officer remain in the hospital. A third was released the same day of the June 28 shooting.

Meanwhile, all three Victoria police officers have been released from the hospital after undergoing surgery. They are continuing to recover at home.

The officers have not been named to protect their privacy.

Related article: Saanich bank shooting suspects identified, motive still unclear

The brazen shooting in Saanich left the Vancouver Island community shaken. The incident forced police to issue a shelter-in-place advisory, as officers searched for an additional suspect.

However, in a tweet later that day, police lifted the advisory, saying they had “not uncovered further indication of a potential 3rd suspect.”

UPDATE | We are lifting the shelter in place. We have searched the area & have not uncovered further indication of a potential 3rd suspect. 3600-block of Shelbourne remains closed as we continue to respond to the potential explosive device. #yyj

— Saanich Police (@SaanichPolice) June 29, 2022

The shelter-in-place advisory was issued for the area of North Dairy Road to Cedar Hill Road, and Richmond Road to Cedar Hill Road.

Evacuations of buildings and homes surrounding the area were also carried out after a vehicle associated with the suspects was found with a potential explosive device inside.

Duthie said the measure was taken “to ensure public safety while that potential explosive device is confirmed or determined and safely managed.”

Last weekend, investigators revealed the names of the suspects as twin brothers Mathew and Isaac Auchterlonie. They were shot and killed by police.

The motive into the shooting remains under investigation, and the B.C. police watchdog has also been called in to examine the actions of police.

Read more:

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

• GoFundMe for Vancouver Island officers hurt in Saanich shooting raises thousands

A GoFundMe campaign that was set up by the Saanich Police Association and Victoria City Police Union has raised more than $250,000.

“The money raised will allow us to provide continued support to our members in a variety of ways including but not limited to accommodation and transportation for families of those who are in hospital, psychological support, modifications to homes to allow for future transition from hospital and much more,” the campaign reads in part.

With files from Claire Fenton, Martin MacMahon, and Hana Mae Nassar