Five people were taken to hospital and two suspects were arrested after a shootout with police at a bank in Saanich, BC.
Police are asking people in the area from North Dairy Road to Cedar Hill Cross Road, and between Richmond Road and Cedar Hill Road, to take shelter while heavily armed officers search for a possible third suspect.
Multiple officers responded to the report of armed suspects at a bank in the 3600 block of Shelbourne Street before noon Tuesday.
Witness Brenda Boyd told CTV News that she was walking near the intersection of Shelbourne and Pear streets when she heard at least 25 to 50 shots around 11:30 a.m.
She said a police officer, who was hiding behind the bushes, yelled at her to leave the area immediately.
Boyd also said he saw at least three people being carried on stretchers to waiting ambulances.
The Saanich police have confirmed that several people were injured in the incident. (CTV News)
BC Emergency Health Services says paramedics were called to the shooting at 11:21 a.m.
Seven ambulances rushed to the scene and took five patients to hospital. Doctors remained in the “standby” area after 2 p.m.
Another witness to the shooting said he was at a nearby bike shop when he saw “two police officers get shot” and saw another person lying on the ground in a nearby parking lot.
“It was just terrible,” said Fabien Cousineau. “They were dragging police behind a police van.”
All traffic was still being diverted from the area to allow police vehicles and medical personnel access to the scene Tuesday afternoon.
At about 1:30 p.m., Saanich police said they were evacuating houses and businesses near the scene “due to the presence of a possible explosive device.”
The Saanich police have confirmed that several people were injured in the incident. (CTV News)
“IT WAS A QUICK SHOT”
Cleo Gagner and her 15-year-old son were buying cat food at a veterinary clinic near the Bank of Montreal on Shelbourne Street when they heard what sounded like two shots.
“Boom, boom,” he told CTV News minutes after the incident. “And then there was rapid fire. Multiple shots from multiple shooters.”
He estimated that they heard between 40 and 50 shots in quick succession.
“Then a Saanich police officer started driving towards the BMO with the door open,” he said. “He gets out of his vehicle, pulls the gun on him … and then the gunfire escalated and he backed off.”
The woman said she and her son ran to the vet’s office and took shelter until things calmed down outside.
A BMO spokesman says the company is “deeply saddened” by the incident.
“The safety of our customers and employees is our priority and our thoughts are with everyone affected by today’s events,” spokesman Jeff Roman said.
“We thank the emergency services for their prompt assistance and for helping to keep the public safe.”
Witness video obtained by CTV News shows a group of police officers clustering behind a nearby restaurant before charging down the street amid a hail of audible gunfire.
Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes, in a brief statement on his Twitter account on Tuesday, said: “Our hearts go out to our civil servants, bank staff and residents…there are no words to describe how horrendous this is. “.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Reference-vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca