THE Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) said on Thursday evening that it is working with the BC Coroner’s Service in order to positively identify the two male suspects.

Once that is complete VIIMCU said its first priority will be to speak to their next of kin and then it will be moving forward on determining more about them, which would include their backgrounds or histories and how that may relate to what took place.

Numerous witnesses have been interviewed, however, police still have many more interviews to conduct. They also continue to canvass the neighbourhood and gather both physical and digital evidence from the scene and surrounding area.

Police thanked the numerous individuals and businesses who have already met and worked with investigators with respect to information and videos.

A number of firearms have been recovered at the site.  The fulsome assessment and analysis of the firearms used during the exchange with police is underway and police said they are mindful that while it is important to the VIIMCU investigation – it is also being looked at by the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) for their concurrent investigation.

Police added: “Therefore, there is nothing further we can say with respect to the firearms.  However, we can say multiple units or personnel that specialize in dealing with and identifying firearms are involved.’

As the scene was being assessed on Wednesday, a vehicle that police now believe is associated with the suspects was found to have multiple improvised explosive devices in it.  The RCMP Provincial Explosive Disposal Unit was called in to further assess the devices.  The EDU was able to assess them prior to being handled, safely transfer them to a container and then ultimately take them to another site where they were safely destroyed.

“It is fair to describe what EDU dealt with has a highly volatile and dangerous situation.  We are not in a position to provide additional specifics at this time.  There is significant work underway to look further at those devices and providing specifics at this time could impact those efforts,” police added.

With respect to the suspect vehicle, it is described as a white 1992 Toyota Camry – 4 doors with two black racing stripes over the hood and roof. Police are requesting anyone who may have any information about this vehicle or its movements in the week prior to Tuesday to contact VIIMCU at 250-380-6211.

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