RCMP say they are working with the British Columbia Coroners Service to identify the two men who were shot and killed by police in an exchange of gunfire outside a bank in Saanich, British Columbia, on Tuesday.
The shootout also left six police officers injured, three of whom remained in hospital on Thursday.
Once the two suspects are identified, police say they will notify their next of kin.
“We will then move forward with determining more about them,” said RCMP Cpl. Alex Berube on a live update outside Saanich police headquarters Thursday.
“I mean their background, who they are, their history and how that might relate to what happened,” he said.
Police say the investigation is still in its early stages and investigators do not want to release details that could affect the integrity of the investigation.
Saanich Police Chief Const. However, Dean Duty was able to clarify that officers encountered the two gunmen as they were leaving the bank on Tuesday.
He added that a white panel van parked at the scene, now riddled with bullets, was a police car.
Meanwhile, Berube was able to describe what the suspects’ vehicle looked like and confirmed that “improvised explosive devices” were found inside.
“It is fair to describe what [the explosive disposal unit] it was an extremely volatile and dangerous situation,” he said.
The suspects’ vehicle is described as a white 1992 Toyota Camry four-door with two black racing stripes over the hood and roof.
“We ask that anyone with information about this vehicle or its movements in the week prior to Tuesday to contact the VIIMCU tip line at 250-380-6211,” Berube said.
Saanich police outside the Bank of Montreal on Shelbourne Street on June 28, 2022 (Joan B. Flood/Twitter)
Berube says several firearms at the scene were also recovered by police.
The RCMP official said he was unable to provide details about the firearms due to concurrent investigations by the VIIMCU and the provincial police watchdog group, the Independent Investigation Service of British Columbia
“I can say that there are multiple units and personnel involved that specialize in dealing with and identifying firearms,” he said.
‘I CAN ONLY IMAGINE’
Saanich’s police chief once again thanked first responders as well as the staff of E-Comm, the organization responsible for responding to almost all 911 calls received in British Columbia
“This dedicated, dedicated and professional team handled the 911 emergency calls received for this event,” Duty said.
“You and I can only imagine the nature of the calls that come in, the horror and the emotion that goes into those calls,” he said, adding that dispatchers were invaluable in helping direct and respond to officers on the scene.
Duty also expressed his sympathies to the staff and customers who were inside the Montreal bank when the incident happened.
“They experienced an incident that will probably never be forgotten [will] probably replayed in their mind over and over again,” he said.
“To all BMO employees and all BMO customers this day, please know that the Saanich Police Department is thinking of you from the bottom of our hearts and we hope you have the support you need to process what you have been through and to move forward in a healthy way. “
The police chief also expressed gratitude for nearby residents and businesses who were evacuated Tuesday, some of whom were unable to return to their homes or reopen their stores two days later as police processed the scene.
“I know your lives have been significantly disrupted with road closures and 24-hour security at the site,” he said. “Your understanding, patience and support are greatly appreciated.”
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