Police acted with ‘remarkable courage’ in Saanich bank robbery, IIO says

The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) has found that no police officers acted criminally during a bank robbery in Saanich in the summer, which left six police officers hurt and two suspects dead.

Releasing a report on its investigation Wednesday, the IIO says the Saanich Police Department and Victoria Police Department (VicPD) officers involved “showed remarkable courage under potentially deadly circumstances and should be commended for what they did to protect and then offer aid to their colleagues.”

On June 28 at around 11 a.m., 22-year-old twin-brothers Mathew and Isaac Auchterlonie attempted to rob a Bank of Montreal branch near Pear and Shelbourne streets. Members of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team — three from Saanich and three from Victoria — were injured in a shootout that left the Auchterlonie brothers dead.

The IIO report states Mathew and Isaac were seen entering the bank with military-style rifles, wearing body armour, and taking hostages while in the building.

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“When the Affected Persons exited the bank, Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (‘GVERT’) members in an unmarked van pulled into the parking lot, intending to challenge them. What followed was an exchange of gunfire that left six police officers wounded and both Affected Persons deceased,” Ronald McDonald, Chief Civilian Director at the IIO, wrote.

The report includes graphic and violent details of the events that occurred during the minutes after the Auchterlonies left the bank, and when they were shot dead.

Initially trying to use a stun gun and a “Noise Flash Diversionary Device (NFDD),” otherwise known as a flashbang, police tried to distract or “stun” the brothers momentarily before arresting them.

“Unfortunately, what transpired instead, almost simultaneously with the detonation of the NFDD, was a lethal exchange of gunfire,” McDonald said.

While unable to confirm who took the first shot, McDonald says the shots fired between officers and the brothers happened quickly. After the incident concluded, a number of weapons, ammunition, and explosive devices were found in the brothers’ vehicle.

“All the officers involved in this case were acting in the lawful execution of their duty. They were responding to a series of calls about an armed robbery in progress and had a duty both to protect the victims and to arrest the perpetrators,” McDonald said.

Read More: Saanich bank shooting leaves 6 police officers hurt, 2 suspects dead

“They were justified in using force to achieve those ends, provided the force used was within the range permitted by the criminal law. In this case, that range was effectively determined by the actions of the Affected Persons. When those Affected Persons offered lethal force or the imminent threat of it, the officers were justified in using lethal force in response,” McDonald writes in his ruling.

Saanich Police Department Chief Dean Duthie says the events on June 28 “shook our community. Every one of us felt then, and feels now, the impact of that shooting.”

“I am truly grateful for the professional, dedicated, and heroic efforts that many Saanich Police officers and Victoria Police officers demonstrated that day under high stress and life-threatening conditions. They put their own lives on the line to save lives, protect innocent people, and restore peace and safety in our community,” he said.

On the note of those officers involved, Duthie says the IIO’s investigation coming to a close is a big load off the involved officers’ minds.

“The stress they’ve been carrying around, not only from the incident and the experience itself, but having been investigated afterwards adds to that…my heart goes out to those officers that have been struggling through this for six months. And it’s, again, a big load off their minds which I hope they can start moving past now,” he explained.

Of the six officers shot that day, only three have returned to work so far. Duthie says, nearly six months later, some of those officers still have a long road to recovery after enduring life-threatening injuries.

“They are very strong minded, strong willed individuals with a big heart and a lot of belief. So, the progress that they have made to date is extraordinary. But again, there’s a long road ahead of them,” said Duthie.

He adds that, aside from those officers dealing with physical injuries, some officers have been dealing with psychological, mental health related complications since the shooting took place.

VicPD Chief Del Manak says the IIO report shows exactly what police officers faced that day, and he commends the professionalism and courage of the officers and staff who responded.

“This report may be difficult for some people to read, including members of the community who witnessed the event. We continue to provide support for our staff and encourage everyone affected by this incident to access any resources they have available as we continue to heal together as a community,” he said.