Canada: 2 gunmen killed, 6 police officers injured in bank shootout in British Columbia

“This remains an ongoing police incident with a heavy police presence in the area,” according to a statement posted by Saanich, British Columbia, police on their website.

“Homes and businesses in close proximity to the scene of the incident have been evacuated due to the presence of a potential explosive device in a vehicle associated to the suspects.”

Later, police said they were lifting the shelter-in-place order but that the block near the bank remained closed over the potential bomb.

The suspects were “heavily armed” and initial reports suggest they were wearing body armour, Saanich police chief Dean Duthie told a press conference, saying he did not have any further information about them.

Six officers were taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds.

“At this time we anticipate that some officers will be released following emergency treatment, whereas other officers sustained very serious injuries and have been taken into surgery,” he said.