UPDATE: HWY 17 has been reopened. IIO has been called in to investigate the incident. More to come.
— earlier:
Saanich Police have arrested a driver of a vehicle after a police involved incident on Hwy 17 near Vanalman Avenue this evening.
Both directions of the Pat Bay Highway remain closed to traffic Friday evening due to the unfolding police incident.
At around 10 p.m., Saanich Police confirmed in a tweet that Highway 17 would be closed “until further notice” from McKenzie Avenue to Quadra Street.
“As the incident unfolded, police had to close the highway and advise motorists in the immediate area to seek shelter,” Saanich Police said in a tweet.
Until further notice:
Please be advised that Highway 17 is closed in both directions from McKenzie Avenue to Quadra Street due to a police incident.
Use alternate routes.
— Saanich Police (@SaanichPolice) April 29, 2023
A witness near the scene at the beginning of the incident told Victoria Buzz motorists were told to, “leave everything behind, evacuate our vehicles, and get as far away as possible to the safest place we could get to.”
Police are urging commuters to avoid the area and use alternate routes, and are currently detouring traffic near Vanalman Avenue.
Though unconfirmed, we have received reports of a loud bang in the area, which witnesses describe as either a gunshot or a flash bang.
In an email, Saanich Police told Victoria Buzz that there are no safety concerns for the public at this time.
The highway is expected to remain closed for several hours.
We will update this article as more information becomes available.
More to come.
