Trudeau Responds After Fatal Shootout Leaves 2 Dead & 6 Officers Injured At BC Bank

Two suspects are dead, and multiple police officers are injured after a shooting at a bank in Saanich, B.C., late Tuesday morning. Homes and businesses in the area were evacuated due to a potential explosive device.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the fatal shooting on Twitter Tuesday evening, and said that he is "shocked and saddened by the violence."

Police said in a statement that they responded to a bank on the 3600-block of Shelbourne Street at about 11 a.m. on June 28, after receiving a report of two armed men entering the building.

Global News reported that the incident occurred at the Bank of Montreal in the area.

The suspects fired at the police when they arrived at the scene. Police said the armed suspects died on-site, after being shot by police.

Six officers of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team were transported to the hospital after being shot during the incident, and some of them have sustained "serious injuries and have been taken into surgery," police added.

Three of the officers who were injured are members of the Victoria Police Department, while the other three are members of the Saanich Police.

While officers searched for a third possible suspect, they issued an advisory for people in the area to shelter in place. Police then evacuated people from their homes and businesses in the bank's vicinity "due to the presence of a potential explosive device in a vehicle associated to the suspects."

The shelter in place advisory was lifted on Tuesday evening, and police said they did not find a third possible suspect.

Police held the scene overnight, while the Explosive Disposal Unit was attending to it.

Police said that at the time of their statement, they do not think that any customers or employees of the bank were injured in the shooting. They also said that no members of the public were injured.

The incident is now an active investigation, and the Independent Investigations Office is also looking into the incident.

"Every day, police officers put their lives on the line to protect our communities. Today is a powerful reminder of the crucial role police officers play in keeping our neighbourhoods secure. My government and I deeply appreciate their courage, professionalism and commitment," said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, in a statement.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.