Police in Saanich, BC kept the 3600-block of Shelbourne Street closed overnight as officers investigated a possible explosive device following Tuesday’s shootout which resulted in two suspects dead and six officers wounded..Tuesday’s drama began about 11 a.m. when officers with Saanich police, Victoria police, and the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) received and responded to reports of two armed men having entered a bank on Shelbourne Street.. Saanich shootingSaanich shooting .Upon arrival, multiple officers encountered the armed suspects, leading to a shootout..Two suspects were shot and killed by police and six GVERT officers suffered gunshot wounds according to a statement issued by both Saanich and Victoria police..“We anticipate that some officers will be released following emergency treatment, whereas other officers sustained serious injuries and have been taken into surgery,” the statement reads..“We will provide further updates on the condition of these officers as we are able.”.Tuesday evening police lifted the shelter-in-place advisory due to not finding any further indication of a third suspect..Shortly after midnight, Saanich police said the Explosive Disposal Unit was on scene and the department will continue updating the public. By press time, there was no official updates from police..“I want to thank the Saanich and Victoria Police Departments, along with the neighbouring policing agencies in the Greater Victoria region, including the RCMP, Oak Bay Police, and Central Saanich Police Departments, for their assistance and support,” said BC Safety Minister Mike Farnworth..“As always, first-responders and volunteers also stepped up quickly to help, and we truly appreciate their dedication.”.As with all officer-involved shootings in BC, the province’s Independent Investigations Office is also investigating the incident..Videos circulating on social media show dozens of shots being fired and Chief Constable Dean Duthie said it’s “truly amazing” that no members of the public were hurt. GVERT also happened to be nearby at the time, according to Duthie..Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, Marco Mendicino spoke on the incident Wednesday morning at a gun violence conference in Toronto, reiterating that he’ll speak with Farnworth to “see what can be done.”."It is yet another reminder that gun violence is impacting our communities every single day, and that it is important to take all the steps necessary to eliminate it,” said Mendicino.
