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
About 4,000 beagles destined for drug experiments finding new homes
About 4,000 beagles are looking for homes after animal rescue organizations started removing them from a Virginia facility that bred them to be sold to laboratories for drug experiments.
Anne Heche taken off life support, 9 days after car crash
Anne Heche, the Emmy-winning film and television actor whose dramatic Hollywood rise in the 1990s and accomplished career contrasted with personal chapters of turmoil, died of injuries from a fiery car crash. She was 53.
Brothers dead after SUV crashes into North Carolina restaurant, police say
A sport utility vehicle crashed into a North Carolina fast-food restaurant on Sunday, killing two sibling customers, police said.
Weapon in deadly 'Rust' film set shooting could not be fired without pulling the trigger, FBI forensic testing finds
FBI testing of the gun used in the fatal shooting on the movie set of 'Rust' found that the weapon handled by actor Alec Baldwin could not be fired without pulling the trigger while the gun was cocked, according to a newly released forensics report.
U.S. man allegedly drives into fundraiser crowd before killing mother
Pennsylvania state police say a man who was upset about an argument with his mother drove through a crowd at a fundraiser for victims of a recent deadly house fire, killing one person at the event and injuring 17 others, then returned home and beat his mother to death.
Warming climate could see a future California flood become the world's costliest disaster, study suggests
A new study is offering a dire prediction for the U.S. state of California, where scientists say catastrophic flooding could become twice as likely in the future due to the effects of climate change.
Testosterone promotes both aggression and 'cuddling' in gerbils, study finds
A recent study on rodents has found testosterone, despite being commonly associated with aggression, can also foster friendly behaviours in males.
Republicans demand to see affidavit that justified FBI search of Trump's home
Republicans stepped up calls on Sunday for the release of an FBI affidavit showing the underlying justification for its seizure of documents at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home.
Norway puts down Freya the walrus that drew Oslo crowds
Authorities in Norway said Sunday they have euthanized a walrus that had drawn crowds of spectators in the Oslo Fjord after concluding that it posed a risk to humans.
Vancouver Island
-
6 arrested after standoff with police at Campbell River home
An hours-long standoff between heavily armed police and the occupants of a home in Campbell River has ended with six arrests, Mounties say.
-
U.S. authorities working to keep orcas away from 'pollution incident' off Vancouver Island
The U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies are responding to a sunken vessel leaking fuel in Haro Strait, between Vancouver Island and San Juan Island.
-
'It's really exciting': Rare white orca spotted on northern Vancouver Island
Orca sightings on Vancouver Island aren't rare, but they're always thrilling, and that was especially true for a group of aquaculture workers on the North Island this week.
Calgary
-
'Surprised that no one died': Truck crashes into Calgary restaurant
Several people were hurt, but Calgary police say an incident where a truck drove through a restaurant window will not lead to charges being laid.
-
Early morning fire rips through northwest Calgary building
Officials are investigating after a fire broke out inside a vacant building in northwest Calgary early Sunday morning.
-
Smith takes aim at Kenney's sovereignty act comments, asks premier to 'respect' leadership contest
Jason Kenney and United Conservative Party leadership hopeful Danielle Smith traded words about her proposed sovereignty act this weekend, with Smith saying the premier should not interfere in the contest.
Edmonton
-
Smith takes aim at Kenney's sovereignty act comments, asks premier to 'respect' leadership contest
Jason Kenney and United Conservative Party leadership hopeful Danielle Smith traded words about her proposed sovereignty act this weekend, with Smith saying the premier should not interfere in the contest.
-
'Our team is good': Unbeaten Canadians aren't worried ahead of Finland match
As the squad prepares to face Finland on Monday in a game that will decide who finishes atop Group A at the world junior hockey championship, the host's biggest enemy might just be complacency.
-
Whitecourt's Rotary Park closed for missing child swimmer search
Police are asking Whitecourt residents to avoid Rotary Park Outdoor Waterpark as crews search for a missing child swimmer.
Toronto
-
Dozens of families scrambling to find new child care provider after Ajax daycare forced to close by end of month
The abrupt closure of an Ajax daycare in two weeks time has left more than a hundred families scrambling to find a new space for their children.
-
This is how much the average rent in Ontario rose in July
The cost of renting a home in Ontario rose more than almost every other province in Canada last month, according to a new national analysis of online listings.
-
CNE assures safety is a 'top priority' after concerns raised ahead of opening
As the CNE readies to open this Friday, one Toronto MPP is expressing concerns about safety possibly being compromised at the 18-day fair due to ride and equipment inspectors being on strike.
Montreal
-
Quebec towns protecting right to serve residents in English after new language law
Quebec's new language law has dozens of municipalities in the province shoring up their bilingual status, with few considering giving up the right to serve their citizens in both English and French.
-
Quebec Conservative platform heavy on tax cuts, healthcare -- but leaves several issues out
Voters interested in the Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) may be disappointed by its platform, announced Sunday in Drummondville, as it is silent on many issues and vague on many others.
-
Pablo Carreno Busta beats Hubert Hurkacz to win National Bank Open
Pablo Carreno Busta defeated Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the men's singles final at the National Bank Open on Sunday.
Winnipeg
-
-
Police looking for suspects after two injured in unrelated Saturday morning incidents
Winnipeg Police are investigating a pair of unrelated incidents that took place early Saturday morning.
-
New mural celebrates St. James 100th anniversary
Visitors to St. James will now be greeted by a new mural celebrating the neighbourhood's 100th anniversary that was unveiled Sunday.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon Hilltops kick off regular season with victory over Winnipeg
The Saskatoon Hilltops season opened Sunday with the team’s home-opener against the Winnipeg Rifles at Gordie Howe Park.
-
Tennis ball sized hail reported in Barrier Lake: Environment Canada
Parts of central Saskatchewan were battered by severe thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening of Aug 13.
-
Riders break 3 game losing streak with win over Elks
Roughriders quarterback Cody Fajardo scored a pair of rushing touchdowns and one through the air as the Riders snapped a three game losing skid Saturday night with a 34-23 win in Edmonton.
Regina
-
WATCH
WATCH | Indigenous Circle: Recapping the papal visit
Watch this week’s special episode of Indigenous Circle, recapping Pope Francis’ journey to Canada and his historic apology.
-
'I'm addicted already': Local club introduces beginners to motorcycle racing
The Prairie Sport Riders Association (PSRA) aims to provide a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere when it comes to the sport of motorcycle racing.
-
Refugee flights highlight need for large aircraft capacity at YQR
It’s rare to have a large scale aircraft touch down in Saskatchewan. Last month, a Boeing 787 brought 230 displaced Ukrainians from Warsaw to Regina. It took extensive planning to accommodate the plane.
Atlantic
-
‘I have to fight for myself’: Quadraplegic man says N.S. government told him to live in a hospital
A diving accident at 14-years-old left Brian Parker paralyzed from the chest down. Now at age 49, he's without the person who was caring for him full-time until just last week, after his 68-year-old mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
-
Concerns about stigmatizing queer communities grow as Monkeypox comes to N.B.
Locally, LGBTQ+ people fear the messaging is coming across as targeting the queer community, similar to former HIV/AIDS messaging.
-
Trudeau and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to sign hydrogen deal in Newfoundland
The German government on Friday issued a statement confirming the agreement will be signed Aug. 23 in Stephenville, where a Newfoundland based company plans to build a zero-emission plant that will use wind energy to produce hydrogen for export.
London
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING | Premier Ford to address municipal leaders in Ottawa
Premier Doug Ford will address municipal leaders in Ottawa this morning, on the first full day of events at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference.
-
Pedestrian dies in hospital after being hit by vehicle in Simcoe, Ont.
A 75-year-old has died in hospital after being hit by a vehicle in Simcoe, Ont.
-
Person dies while operating tobacco harvester at Norfolk County farm
The driver of a tobacco harvester has died following an incident involving the machine on a Norfolk County farm.
Northern Ontario
-
Homicide arrest made by Sudbury police
Police now confirm the incident on Aug. 11 on Spruce Street in Sudbury is considered a homicide.
-
Sudburians gather to celebrate Pakistani independence
It was a sea of people wearing green and white at the James Jerome Sports Complex Sunday morning as Sudburians gathered to mark Pakistan Independence Day. This is the 75th anniversary of the country's independence from British colonial rule.
-
Flour Mill Community Farm holding annual Open Farm Wednesday
The Flour Mill Community Farm’s 6th annual Open Farm is an opportunity for the community to tour the space, sample some of the farm’s produce and enjoy local musical entertainment live.
Kitchener
-
Former Waterloo Region family remembers nine-year-old after search comes to tragic end
A family that recently moved from Waterloo Region is remembering the life of their nine-year-old boy after the search for him came to a tragic end.
-
University students displaced by fire in Waterloo
Multiple students have been displaced following a Sunday morning fire in Waterloo.
-
Pickup truck thefts, roundabout crash, hole-in-one: Top stories of the week
A string of pickup truck thefts using relay and reprogramming technology, a crash at a busy Kitchener roundabout, and a big golf shot for a big price round out the top stories of the week.