Saanich police officer released from hospital 5 weeks after bank shooting
A police officer was released from a Victoria hospital on Friday, more than five weeks after he was seriously injured in a shootout with two gunmen at a bank in Saanich, B.C.
"Today is very special, heartwarming, and inspirational as one of our injured officers is returning home where he can continue to heal and build his strength while being surrounded by his loving family," said Saanich police Chief Dean Duthie in a statement Friday afternoon.
The Saanich police officer was released from the Royal Jubilee Hospital shortly after 2 p.m.
Six officers with the Saanich and Victoria police departments were injured during the shootout with a pair of gunmen at the Bank of Montreal branch on Shelboure Street.
All six officers are members of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team, which responded to the bank within minutes of the first reports of armed men inside the building.
One Saanich officer remained in hospital Friday and is improving "day by day," Duthie added.
The suspects, who were both killed in the shooting, were later identified as 22-year-old twin brothers Mathew and Isaac Auchterlonie of Duncan, B.C.
"This officer’s inner strength, determination, and grit continues to inspire all staff at SPD and our community, along with our other injured officer who remains in hospital as he continues to make progressive improvements day by day," Duthie said.
"We are so very grateful for the extraordinary care, compassion, and professionalism of the medical staff, nurses, doctors, and surgeons at RJH who assisted and guided the healing of our officer to this day," the police chief added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada-wide shortage of liquid Children's Tylenol now also impacting chewables
A nationwide shortage of liquid Children’s Tylenol is also impacting generic chewables, with Quebec-based Laboratoire Riva reporting a shortage due to rising demand.

Majority of people with Omicron don't know they have it: study
A new study has found that more than half of people infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 were unaware they had it.
Ontario to reveal next steps of 'Plan to Stay Open' Thursday, hints at changing 'status quo'
The Ontario government will reveal the next steps of its “Plan to Stay Open” on Thursday.
Eastern Ontario doctor facing 3 new murder charges
An eastern Ontario doctor who was charged with first-degree murder in the death of a patient is facing three new murder charges, Ontario Provincial Police have announced.
'The childhood place to be': Zellers' return sparks fond memories among Canadians eager for its comeback
Canadians are recalling their fondest memories of shopping at Zellers as plans for its return are announced nearly a decade since its doors closed.
Proportion of French speakers declines nearly everywhere in Canada, including Quebec
The proportion of Canadians who mainly speak French at home continues to decline in nearly all provinces and territories, including Quebec, the latest census release shows.
Ontario mayor fires back at conspiracy theorists who tried to arrest police officers
An Ontario mayor had some harsh words for protesters who attempted to place local police officers under arrest Saturday.
Trump supporters' threats to judge spur democracy concerns
Hundreds of federal judges face the same task every day: review an affidavit submitted by federal agents and approve requests for a search warrant. But for U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart, the fallout from his decision to approve a search warrant has been far from routine.
The return of Zellers: Hudson's Bay to resurrect Canadian discount retail chain
Canadian department store Zellers hopes to make a comeback next year, a decade after the discount chain shuttered most of its locations., brand owner Hudson's Bay Co. said Wednesday.