Fundraiser for officers injured in Saanich, B.C., shooting tops $75,000
An online fundraiser to benefit police officers injured during the shootout at a Saanich, B.C. bank earlier this week has raised more than $75,000 in less than two days.
The GoFundMe page is endorsed by the unions representing Saanich and Victoria police officers and had surpassed $78,000 as of 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The fundraiser's stated goal is $100,000.
Officers from the Victoria and Saanich police departments responded to a robbery in progress at the Bank of Montreal on Shelbourne Street in Saanich Tuesday morning. In the ensuing standoff, six of them were shot.
As of Thursday, three of the injured officers remained hospitalized.
In an update on the case Saturday morning, the BC RCMP's Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit – which is leading the ongoing investigation – referred questions about the injured officers' health to the municipal departments.
CTV News reached out to both departments for an update Saturday.
The Victoria Police Department said in an email that three of its officers were shot during the incident and one remained in hospital as of Saturday.
"All face a long road ahead," said spokesperson Bowen Osoko in the email.
The remaining injured officers work for the Saanich Police Department. Spokesperson Const. Markus Anastasiades confirmed two of the department's officers remained in hospital Saturday, but added that Saanich police have no new information on their condition to share.
"It is nice to know everyone is asking and reaching out, showing their concern and overall empathy during this entire tragic incident," Anastasiades said in an email.
Officials from both departments have thanked the public for their support in the wake of Tuesday's incident. On Saturday, Osoko reiterated that sentiment.
"The continued support from the public is heartwarming and incredible," Osoko said. "Last night, at Victoria's Canada Day celebrations, people put on blue #GVERT (Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team) stickers by the thousands and Cst. Cam MacIntyre was invited up on stage to thank the Victoria crowd for their support."
According to the GoFundMe page, "multiple sworn and civilian members of the Saanich Police Association (SPA) and Victoria City Police Union (VCPU) have been physically and mentally injured" by the shooting, and some of the officers who were shot are "facing life-altering injuries."
"The SPA and VCPU have created a joint committee in an effort to ensure our members and their families are taken care of during this time," the fundraising page reads.
"Many expenses are expected to arise over the coming months and potentially long-term. 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 two gunmen involved in the robbery were shot and killed at the scene. On Saturday, the VIIMCU identified them as 22-year-old twin brothers Mathew and Isaac Auchterlonie.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
BREAKING Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.