2 slain gunmen still unidentified after Saanich shooting: BC RCMP
RCMP say they're working with the BC Coroners Service to identify the two men who were shot and killed by police in an exchange of gunfire outside a bank in Saanich, B.C., on Tuesday.
The shootout also resulted in six police officers being injured, three of whom remain in hospital Thursday.
Once the two suspects have been identified, police say they'll notify their next of kin.
"Then we will be moving forward with determining more about them," said RCMP Cpl. Alex Bérubé at a live update outside of the Saanich Police headquarters Thursday.
"I mean their backgrounds, who they are, their histories, and how that may relate to what took place," he said.
Police say the investigation is still its early stages, and investigators do not want to reveal any details that may affect the integrity of the investigation.
Saanich Police Chief Const. Dean Duthie was able to clarify, however, that officers encountered the two armed men as they were exiting the bank Tuesday.
He added that a white panel van parked at the scene, which is now riddled with bullet holes, was a police vehicle.
Meanwhile, Bérubé was able to describe what the suspects' vehicle looked like, and confirm that "improvised explosive devices" were found inside it.
"It's fair to describe what [the explosive disposal unit] dealt with was a highly volatile and dangerous situation," he said.
The suspects' vehicle is described as a white, four-door 1992 Toyota Camry with two black racing stripes over its hood and roof.
"We're asking anyone with information about this vehicle or its movement a week prior to Tuesday to contact the VIIMCU line at 250-380-6211," said Bérubé.
Saanich police outside the Bank of Montreal on Shelbourne Street on June 28, 2022. (Joan B. Flood/Twitter)
Bérubé says several firearms located at the scene have also been recovered by police.
The RCMP officer said he was unable to provide specifics on the firearms, however, due to the concurrent investigations by VIIMCU and the provincial police watchdog group, the Independent Investigations Office of B.C.
"I can say that multiple units and personnel that specialize in dealing with and identifying firearms are involved," he said.
'I CAN ONLY IMAGINE'
Saanich's police chief once again thanked first responders, as well as staff with E-Comm, the organization responsible for answering almost all 911 calls received in B.C.
"This dedicated, committed and professional team managed the 911 emergency calls that came in for this event," said Duthie.
"You and I can only imagine the nature of incoming calls, the terror and emotion that is weaved throughout these calls," he said, adding that dispatchers were invaluable with helping direct and respond to officers in the field.
Duthie also expressed his sympathies for the staff and customers who were inside the Bank of Montreal when the incident occurred.
"They experienced an incident that will likely never be forgotten and [will] likely often replay in their minds over and over again," he said.
"To all BMO staff and all BMO customers that day, please know that the Saanich Police Department is thinking about you from our hearts and we hope you have the supports you need to process what you've experienced and move forward in a healthy way."
The police chief also expressed gratitude for nearby residents and businesses that were evacuated Tuesday, some of whom have not been able to return to their homes or reopen their stores two days later, as police process the scene.
"I know that your lives have been significantly disrupted with road closures and 24-hour scene security," he said. "Your understanding, patience and support is greatly appreciated."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction overturned by N.Y. appeals court
New York's highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction, reversing a landmark ruling of the #MeToo era in determining the trial judge improperly allowed women to testify about allegations against the ex-movie mogul that weren't part of the case.
BREAKING Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that is banned at Queen’s Park.
CTE: Researchers believe widespread brain injury may contribute to veteran suicide rate
Researchers are working to better understand if some Canadian military veterans may be suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE -- a disorder previously found in the brains of professional football and hockey players after their death.
1 arrested in northern Alberta during public shelter order
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
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.
New deep-water channel allows first ship to pass Key bridge wreckage in Baltimore
The first cargo ship passed through a newly opened deep-water channel in Baltimore on Thursday after being stuck in the harbor since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed four weeks ago, halting most maritime traffic through the city's port.
First in Canada procedure performed at London, Ont. hospital
A London man has become the first person in Canada to receive a robotic assisted surgery on his spine. Dave Myeh suffered from debilitating, chronic back pain that led to sciatica in his right now and extreme pain in his lower back.