Two burglars were killed and six police officers were injured in the robbery of a bank in western Canada, local authorities announced on Tuesday June 28, claiming to be still looking for a potential third suspect.
"The operation is still ongoing with a heavy police presence in the area
," Saanich Police Chief Dean Duthie said at a news conference.
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Around 11 a.m. local time (6 p.m. GMT), two armed suspects entered a bank in Saanich, a town of some 114,000 people on the outskirts of Victoria, the capital of British Columbia.
“Several police officers intervened and intercepted two suspects, who opened fire on the officers
,” police said in a statement.
No bank employee, customer or member of the public was injured, she said.
"It's difficult because we have police officers in the hospital right now with serious injuries
," Chief Dean Duthie said.
At the end of the day on Tuesday, three of the six injured police officers were undergoing surgery, while the other three could be discharged from the hospital, said the police chief.
Earlier in the day, an evacuation order was issued for residences and businesses near the scene due to the
"presence of a possible explosive device"
in a vehicle associated with the suspects.
"This is an event that will shake a lot of people
," lamented Chief Duthie, adding that the federal police (RCMP) had been called in for reinforcement.
