Chief's update on officers injured in Saanich, B.C., bank shootout
One week after a failed bank robbery in Greater Victoria that left two suspects dead and six officers injured, the chief of the Saanich Police Department told reporters supports were being made available to all officers as three recover in hospital.
"It's very difficult to put into words. These police officers and first response partners are heroes," Chief Const. Dean Duthie said.
He provided the following update on the three officers from his department injured in the line of duty. No names are being released due to privacy concerns, although a previous media release had said that would be the case.
DAY-TO-DAY PROCESS
The most critically injured officer is still in the Intensive Care Unit. The eight-year veteran has had three surgeries so far with more anticipated.
"He continues to be surrounded by the love and the support of his family. And he's been showing signs of improvement day by day, including short conversations with his family and close friends," Duthie said.
Another officer remains in hospital in stable condition and also served eight years with Saanich Police while a third, with seven years on the force, was released after treatment.
"These officers and their families are still very deep in the recovery process. It is a day-by-day process that is full of emotion, love and protection," Duthie added.
Of the three officers from the Victoria Police Department who were injured, Duthie said one remaines in hospital and two are recovering at home.
The news conference came at the precise time a week ago, that police responded to reports of a bank robbery at the Bank of Montreal on Shelbourne Street. Several officers ran toward an active shooter situation.
"When you see the videos captured by onlookers in the area it's mind blowing that these officers didn't hesitate for a second," Duthie added.
The chief added some police officers performed trauma care prior to paramedics arrival.
INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
The update comes as questions swirl around the suspects and the botched bank robbery. Twenty-two-year-old twins Matthew and Isaac Auctherlonie died outside a in a hail of bullets. Matthew was rejected from the Canadian Armed Forces. Isaac's Instagram account showed both images of both brothers with guns captioned with anti-government hashtags
Still investigators are cautioning against drawing any conclusions based on their social media activity.
"It is way too soon to say whether or not comments made online are connected to the motive behind the Saanich shooting at this time," Corp. Alex Bérubé, with RCMP E Division told CTV News in an email.
No other update has been planned, he added.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Duthie said community support, including a GoFundMe for injured officers that has raised nearly $200,000 is heartening. He said the department had also received flowers, hundreds of emails and cards from individuals, businesses and other policing agencies across North America.
"It fuels us, it adds to our strength and resilience as a police department that continues to [respond] to reports for service every day and every night," Duthie added.
He said supports are being offered to officers, as the entire department tries to deal with the deadly shooting.
"It's a shocking event that we're still processing," he said.
Tuesday, the District of Saanich announced municipal hall and the Craigflower Bridge would be lit up in blue as a show of support for all police officers in the region.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.