The trauma experienced by the witnesses of the Saanich shooting

Resources exist remind the police

Bouquets of flowers were laid outside the Saanich police station on Thursday in support of injured officers.

Nearly a week after the shooting that killed two burglars and injured six police officers, Saanich police have allowed residents to return to what was until now still a crime scene.

< p class="e-p">For witnesses, however, the memory of Tuesday's events remains engraved in their memory.

A bullet entered our laundry room, and it was very terrifying , says Edward Park, owner of the laundry just opposite the bank.

When the shooting broke out, Edward Park and his employees took cover on the ground. Police later found a bullet directly above them.

We were very lucky, he said. Edward Park quickly returned to work.

Maybe I'm a little strange, but I have to get back to work, adds the entrepreneur. I think I can overcome this kind of trauma.

Edward Park, owner of Squeaky's Laundromat in Saanich, went into hiding with his employees during the June 28 shootout between burglars and law enforcement.

Police on Saturday identified 22-year-old twin brothers Mathew and Isaac Auchterlonie as the two suspects killed outside a Bank of Montreal branch in Saanish . Six police officers were injured during the operation.

Despite the withdrawal of the police and a return to normalcy, witnesses of violent incidents can suffer long-term effects and develop post-traumatic stress disorder.

• Perpetrators of Saanich shooting were 22-year-old twins

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Being the victim of a crime…is a traumatic experience that can produce physical, emotional and psychological reactions that you don't understand, the province's website says in its resource guide for victims. It is important to know that everyone experiences the effects of the crime differently.

Symptoms described include nightmares or memories of events, panic, difficulty coping emotions and a drop in self-esteem.

At a press conference this week, Saanich Police Chief Dean Duthie thanked residents for their understanding and reminded the harrowing nature of the day.

Events will likely run through their heads again and again, he told reporters. To all customers and staff, please know that the Saanich Police are thinking of you and hope you have support.

Saanich Police Chief reminded of the existence of services for victims and witnesses of crime, including VictimLinkBC.

With information from CBC News