Investigators still on scene after deadly bank robbery on Vancouver Island
SAANICH, B.C. -
Saanich police set up a command centre Wednesday morning at the scene of Tuesday’s deadly shootout following a bank robbery.
The BC Coroners Service and the Independent Investigations Office were also on scene.
The latest online update from Saanich Police at 9 p.m. Tuesday said officers would be “holding the scene overnight” and the Explosive Disposal Unit would remain in place. Homes and businesses nearby remain evacuated while officers investigate a possible explosive device linked to a deadly gunfight with two suspected bank robbers.
Multiple officers from Saanich Police, Victoria Police, and the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) responded to a report of armed suspects at a bank in the 3600 block of Shelbourne Street around 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Police said when officers arrived, the two armed suspects began firing.
“There was multiple gunshots fired and again, I don’t know the exact positioning of where the suspects were when they were hit,” said Chief Const. Dean Duthie with Saanich Police.
“The fact that no citizens were injured in any way is truly amazing and I’m so grateful for it.”
Both suspects were killed in the shootout and six officers were wounded. Const. Duthie said two officers were seriously hurt and underwent surgery late Tuesday; a third officer remains in hospital.
Duthie says Greater Victoria's emergency response team was not far from the Bank of Montreal when the armed robbery call came in and arrived in time to confront the suspects.
Social media videos show dozens of shots were fired and police have set up an online site to gather videos taken by witnesses.
Saanich Police are expected to give an update Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reacted to the news on Twitter, writing in part “Like many people across the country, I am shocked and saddened by the violence in Saanich, British Columbia.”
The mayors of Esquimalt, Saanich and Victoria expressed their support for the “courage and selfless service” of those officers who ran toward the danger.
“To the officers who were injured and to their families, our thoughts are with you and we are sending love as you move through the following days, weeks and months in recovery,” mayors Barb Desjardins, Fred Haynes and Lisa Helps said in a statement.
“We are humbled by your service and we offer our heartfelt thanks for your courage as you stood in harm's way to keep our communities safe.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Sask. RCMP issue Amber Alert for 7-year-old girl and 8-year-old boy
An Amber Alert was issued Monday evening by Shaunavon RCMP in Saskatchewan for seven-year-old Luna Potts and eight-year-old Hunter Potts.
Trump says FBI conducted search at his Mar-a-Lago estate
The FBI searched former U.S. president Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate as part of an investigation into whether he took classified records from the White House to his Florida residence, people familiar with the matter said Monday.
Actor, singer Olivia Newton-John dies at age 73
Singer and actor Olivia Newton-John, who was best known for playing Sandy in the film 'Grease,' has died at the age of 73, according to her husband.
RCMP has been using spyware tools for years and in more cases than previously reported, MPs told
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and senior RCMP officers are defending the national police force's years-long and previously undisclosed use of spyware—capable of remotely accessing cell phone and computer microphones, cameras and other data—as part of dozens of major investigations.
Saskatoon woman who had been reported missing faces charges in U.S., Canada
Federal prosecutors in the United States have accused a Saskatoon woman of faking her own death and that of her son in what they describe as an elaborate scheme to illegally enter the country.
$1.4B in uncashed cheques sitting in CRA's coffers -- how to check if you're owed money
The Canada Revenue Agency says it will be sending e-notifications about uncashed cheques to 25,000 Canadians this month.
4 Muslim men were killed in Albuquerque. Here's what we know about them
After ambush-style shootings of three Muslim men and the recent killing of a fourth in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Muslim community in the city is on edge and fearful.
Liberals planning temporary solution to dental care promise: CP sources
Sources close to the government's proposed $5.3 billion dental care program say the Liberals are planning a temporary solution that involves giving money directly to patients in order to keep their promise to the NDP while they work on a more permanent answer.
Bill Graham, ex-interim Liberal leader and post-9/11 foreign affairs minister, dies
Condolences from Canadian politicians past and present poured out Monday as they learned about the death of Bill Graham, who served as foreign affairs minister when the country decided against joining the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Vancouver Island
-
Roosters likely abandoned at Greater Victoria park rescued by community members
A Saanich, B.C., woman is in search of a sanctuary for 10 roosters that she helped rescue from a South Island park.
-
Mill Bay home destroyed, man suffers burns in fire
One man suffered burns and smoke inhalation after a house fire in Mill Bay, B.C., on Saturday.
-
Warrant issued for man after break-in, sexual assault on Vancouver Island
RCMP have issued an arrest warrant for a man after a break-in and sexual assault in Nanoose Bay, B.C.
Calgary
-
Calgary man charged with murdering roommate after dispute: police
Calgary police have laid charges in a brutal assault last month that resulted in a man's death, saying the victim and the accused were roommates.
-
Health officials order Banff landlord to clean up rental home with dozens of tenants
Health officials have ordered a Banff landlord to clean up dangerous living conditions found at her rental home, where beds for 42 people were found.
-
Alberta defence lawyers take job action to protest legal aid underfunding
Defence lawyers in Alberta will not be taking on certain legal aid cases over the next two weeks to push the government to correct what they call “perpetual underfunding” of the system.
Edmonton
-
1 dead, 1 in critical condition after police shooting northeast of Edmonton
One person is dead and a second is in critical condition after a police shooting northeast of Edmonton on Monday.
-
Canada slips past Sweden 4-3 in pre-world junior test
Canada scored three unanswered goals in the first period, including one on the power play, and went on to defeat Sweden 4-3 on Monday in the final exhibition tune-up before Tuesday's start of the rescheduled 2022 World Junior Hockey Championship at Rogers Place.
-
'Very concerning': Camrose casino wants to move to southeast Edmonton
Residents in southeast Edmonton are concerned after finding out that a casino could soon be relocating to their neighbourhood.
Toronto
-
Two workers remain trapped after trench collapses at Ajax, Ont. construction site
Crews remained on-scene late into the night Monday following a trench collapse that injured four workers at a construction site in Ajax.
-
Ontario hospitals plan to uphold COVID-19 vaccine policies amid 'crisis' staffing shortages
Ontario hospitals are upholding their mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies for employees as staff shortages mount to a 'crisis' with more emergency departments temporarily closing over the weekend.
-
Residents north of Toronto furious after city allows 'monster' home to be built
A home under construction in Richmond Hill -- which is nearly twice as tall as the others on the street -- has heightened concerns among residents.
Montreal
-
Police open homicide investigation after man's body found in Montreal recycling bin
Montreal police say the discovery of a man's body in a recycling bin in the city's east end Monday morning is now considered a homicide.
-
Montreal mayor requests independent investigation into cancellation of Pride parade
Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante has requested an independent investigation into the abrupt cancellation of the Montreal Pride parade Sunday after meeting with festival organizers Monday evening.
-
Coroner orders public inquiry into Montreal shooting deaths
Quebec's chief coroner has ordered a public inquiry into the shooting deaths of three people, as well as that of the alleged gunman, following a killing spree last week in the Montreal area.
Winnipeg
-
Hockey Manitoba wants improvements at Hockey Canada but is confident in current leadership, executive director says
Provincial and territorial hockey federations, including Hockey Manitoba, are calling on Hockey Canada to do more to address its handling of sexual assault allegations in London, Ont. in 2018.
-
Mother convicted of killing Phoenix Sinclair granted escorted outings from prison
A Manitoba woman who abused and killed her daughter in one of the province's most notorious crimes has been granted escorted temporary absences from prison.
-
E. coli counts at West Grand Beach prompt advisory signs
The provincial government has posted advisory signs at West Grand Beach due to E. coli counts briefly going above safe levels last week.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. RCMP issue Amber Alert for 7-year-old girl and 8-year-old boy
An Amber Alert was issued Monday evening by Shaunavon RCMP in Saskatchewan for seven-year-old Luna Potts and eight-year-old Hunter Potts.
-
Saskatoon mother who disappeared with son faces charges in U.S., Canada
A Saskatoon woman will face charges in the U.S. and Canada after she allegedly transported her son illegally across the border.
-
Saskatoon rally shows support for missing mom found in U.S. with son
On Sunday evening, people gathered at Kiwanis Memorial Park to show their support for Dawn Walker and her seven-year-old son.
Regina
-
Sask. RCMP issue Amber Alert for 7-year-old girl and 8-year-old boy
An Amber Alert was issued Monday evening by Shaunavon RCMP in Saskatchewan for seven-year-old Luna Potts and eight-year-old Hunter Potts.
-
Regina woman charged with abduction, kidnapping following Amber Alert incident
A Regina woman is facing three charges including abduction and kidnapping after an Amber Alert was issued for a two-year-old child on Sunday.
-
WestJet resuming direct flights from Regina to three international destinations
Three direct international flights are returning to Regina’s airport this winter.
Atlantic
-
N.B. family doctor waitlist now at 74,000
"Our health-care system is a system, meaning the problems in different areas impact others," said Dr. Katharine Smart in an interview last week.
-
Community cut off by Newfoundland forest fires running out of food, says deputy mayor
The deputy mayor of a southern Newfoundland town says his community is running out of food as it remains cut off from the rest of the island due to the worst forest fires the province has seen in more than 60 years.
-
Homeless rates spiking in eastern Nova Scotia: study
The number of people who are homeless in eastern Nova Scotia is rising at an alarming rate, according to a recent study.
London
-
London business owner in a coma, intensive care after falling off bicycle
Ali Azizi, owner of Smiley's Pizzeria, is in a coma after falling off his bike this past weekend in the city’s north end.
-
Trump says FBI conducted search at his Mar-a-Lago estate
The FBI searched former U.S. president Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate as part of an investigation into whether he took classified records from the White House to his Florida residence, people familiar with the matter said Monday.
-
'PTSD and mental anguish': Civil suit launched after fiery crash death of St. Thomas, Ont. woman
Every night between four and five in the morning, Bob Reid wakes up crying. The musician is still traumatized after witnessing a fatal crash in October 2020 on Highbury Avenue, between St. Thomas and London, Ont., which claimed the life of Cindy Devine.
Northern Ontario
-
Shortage of student housing in Timmins prompts Northern College to ask for help
As colleges and universities prepare to welcome students in September, the pressure is on when it comes to the housing supply.
-
New film studio coming to the Sault
A Toronto area developer and film producer has some big plans for a historic building in downtown Sault Ste. Marie.
-
Laurentian University staff union to take LU administrators to court
One of Laurentian University's biggest unions is considering taking some members of the university's administration to court.
Kitchener
-
Golfer wins new vehicle after hitting hole in one
A local golfer pulled off the shot of a lifetime when he hit the perfect shot to win a new truck.
-
Waterloo region organization aiding Hockey Canada with sexual assault training workshop
Hockey Canada has turned to the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region (SASCWR) for help in training its athletes and staff to end sexual violence.
-
Some new student housing in Waterloo might not be ready in time for start of school year
Student housing is hard to come by in Waterloo and new spots are constantly being built to address the need, but it appears some new housing might not be ready in time for the start of the school year.