Saanich, B.C. bank shooter was rejected by military, CAF says
One of the twin brothers who was killed in a shootout with police outside a bank in Saanich, B.C., last week had applied to join the Canadian Armed Forces but was rejected, a military spokesperson confirmed Monday.
Mathew Auchterlonie had tried to join the Canadian Army but did not pass the aptitude test, the national defence spokesperson said.
The spokesperson declined to say when he applied.
The 22-year-old was killed Tuesday along with his twin brother, Isaac Auctherlonie, amid an exchange of gunfire outside a Bank of Montreal that also left six police officers injured.
Mathew was not the only brother with an interest in the military.
The national defence spokesperson confirmed that Isaac completed a solider-for-a-day work-study program with the Canadian Armed Forces in 2018.
The spokesperson described the program as an "open house" that allows anyone over the age of 15 to participate in simulated military fitness testing and tour a military installation.
"Neither Isaac nor Mathew Auchterlonie have ever been part of the Canadian Armed Forces in any way," the spokesperson said.
An Instagram account that was maintained by Isaac was dedicated to pro-gun messages and imagery, including videos of the brothers firing multiple weapons together.
The account also traded in anti-government and anti-vaccine hashtags and messages, and featured video clips from a documentary on the 1997 North Hollywood bank shootout on the anniversary last year, captioned: "24 years ago today."
Before the account was deactivated, the bio read: "Canadian. Patriot. WW2 Pacific war enthusiast. Nature. Firearms."
Police on Saturday identified the twins as the two men killed in the shooting that rocked the neighbourhood north of Victoria.
Investigators said multiple explosive devices were also found in a vehicle linked to the suspects at the bank.
Three of the officers injured in the shooting remain in hospital, including one in intensive care.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.