Officers responded to a report of armed suspects at a bank in the 3600-block of Shelbourne, near Pear Street.
Sannich police responded to a armed bank robbery in progress with five suspects which ended in a shootout. Two suspects in custody and one suspect still on the run and two shot dead on scene.
Six police officers were injured with gun shot wounds during the shootout and were treated in hospital.
Police said there was a hail of gun fire and multiple people have been injured. Six officers were transported to hospital, some with serious injuries requiring surgery, a Victoria Police Department statement said
The poloce say they currently don’t believe any bank staff or members of the public are injured from the exchange of gunfire.
Officers have also evacuated businesses and homes in the area because of a suspected explosive device in the area.
Police are asking people still in the area to close their curtains and blinds and lock their doors. While they still search for the third suspect.
Saanich police are leading the investigation, while the RCMP are providing assistance and an emergency response team from the Lower Mainland, among others. Sgt. Chris Garneau did not know immediately how many RMCP officers were called in from the capital region.
Saanich police are asking people who took photos and shot video to submit them as evidence here.
