Saanich Police Investigating ‘Third Suspect’ Involved In Bank Robbery

Police in Saanich say they continue to investigate the possibility that a "third suspect" was involved in a fatal shooting at a bank that left two suspects dead and six officers injured Tuesday.

Police in Saanich say they continue to investigate the possibility that a "third suspect" was involved in a fatal shooting at a bank that left two suspects dead and six officers injured Tuesday.

Police stressed that they do not believe there is any added risk to the public, however, and that investigators will continue to provide threat assessments when available.

As of Wednesday afternoon, three of the injured officers had been released from hospital, while three others continue to receive care.

Saanich Police Chief Const. Dean Duthie says the three officers still in hospital sustained "life-threatening" injuries Tuesday, and one officer remains in intensive care.

Duthie says explosive devices found inside a car linked to the suspects at the scene have also been disposed of.

Officers from the BC RCMP provincial explosive disposal unit brought the explosives to the Hartland Landfill in Saanich and "safely destroyed" them, according to the police chief.

Some residents and businesses near the scene of the shooting were evacuated Tuesday after the explosives were found.

As of Wednesday, those homes and businesses remain blocked by police, as investigators comb the scene.

The police chief said he was moved by the bravery of the officers, who belonged to both the Saanich and Victoria police departments.

The RCMP's Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit has taken the lead on the investigation.

RCMP spokesperson Chris Manseau says police are treating the incident as an attempted murder.

He stressed that the investigation is in the "extremely early stages" and that investigators are still focusing on gathering physical and digital evidence.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Crime Unit tip line at 250-380-6211.