The Canadian Armed Forces has confirmed that one of the two men who allegedly robbed a Shelbourne bank and engaged in a fatal shootout with police on Tuesday—who police identified on Saturday as twin brothers Mathew and Isaac Auchterlonie, 22—unsuccessfully applied to join the military.

"While Matthew [sic] Auchterlonie did apply to the Canadian Armed Forces, he did not successfully pass the Canadian Forces Aptitude Test," a military spokesperson wrote in response to questions from Capital Daily. The spokesperson declined to release the year he applied.

The question arose as a result of a snapshot, posted to Instagram by Isaac in 2018, of a certificate showing he had participated in Soldier for a Day, a program that allows would-be recruits to get a small taste of military life. Only Isaac participated in Soldier for a Day, and only Mathew applied for the military, the spokesperson said.

"The Soldier for a Day program aims to inform people about how the Canadian Armed Forces members are trained, and some of the things they do as part of the CAF. For instance, participants are often given a tour of the local base, they may experience a portion of the annual fitness test, and are shown some of the equipment that is used," the spokesperson wrote. "They do not participate in any firing or manipulation of live guns or any other weapons."

The reservist captain who led Isaac through the program said he did not recall that particular cohort, which was four years ago.

Other images posted to an Instagram account purportedly belonging to Isaac—which has since been taken down—show a longstanding reverence for military life.

Neither brother was known to police or had a criminal record.

The family is cooperating and has asked for privacy, BC RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Alex Bérubé said. The motive is not yet fully clear; according to Bérubé, "There are still many questions and investigation efforts that need to take place in order to fully understand what took place and why."

Heavy gun content

An Instagram account, @isaacauchterlonie867, evidently belonging to Isaac Auchterlonie, has become inactive, but a YouTube video has captured its contents. Among them are many photos of the suspect’s own guns and ammunition, and of the brothers with guns. Posts also often included historical images and videos of wars (mainly WWII) and clips of gunplay in popular movies.

Memes, images, and hashtags are also frequently pro-gun-ownership and anti-government. The current Trudeau-led federal Canadian government is at several points opposed specifically in the posts, particularly on gun policy. Several posts, dating as far back as 2019, reference bullets as #freedomseeds. Another post shows Auchterlonie seemingly burning a federal gun buyback brochure.

Rear-Admiral reports harassment over shared name

Since the release of the two suspects' names on Saturday, Vice-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie and his sister, Susan, told Black Press they have received harassment online—and released a statement to clarify that they have no connection to the young men.

"This past Saturday police identified the two deceased suspects in the recent bank robbery in Victoria," the two wrote in a statement. "The two individuals are NOT related to the Auchterlonie family from Cumberland. We have never met them, and we have no connection to them beyond sharing a unique last name."

Area reopened to public as investigation continues

Saanich police announced on Saturday afternoon that the crime scene at the site of the incident, the Bank of Montreal at 3616 Shelbourne, has been released. Shelbourne has also been reopened to all traffic, including at Pear.

The Saturday morning update confirmed that the vehicle involved was a white four-door 1992 Toyota Camry with two black racing stripes running down the centre over the hood and roof. Police said they received multiple tips since releasing the car’s photo on Thursday.

The Saturday update also said that the investigation has determined that only two suspects were in the bank, but that it continues to look into whether any other people were involved in any capacity.

Men in combat-style clothes spark Thursday police calls

Anxiety has lingered in the aftermath of Tuesday's shooting. There were false alarms twice on June 30 when callers reported suspicious figures near the Shelbourne scene, and later in downtown Victoria.

At 5:30pm, Saanich police announced on Twitter they had a "heavy police presence" around Richmond Road at Pear Street due to the reports, but said there was no public danger.

Police then announced that they were still searching, including by air, from Mt. Tolmie to McKenzie for men witnessed in "army type outfits and possibly carrying a long gun." One man in his 30s was described as having full camo and a beige case slung over his shoulder, with the other in a camo top. Police cautioned that there was no evidence of a link to Tuesday.

Shortly before 9pm, Victoria police tweeted that they were trying to find and speak with two men in the downtown core, possibly carrying a weapon and possibly related to the earlier Saanich reports. They included a photo taken on Douglas.

VicPD announced at 10pm that they had contacted the men, that there was no weapon, and that the man in camo was the same person from the Saanich call.

With files from Capital Daily staff

Correction on July 5 at 8:15am: This article has been updated to reflect that Susan Auchterlonie is Bob Auchterlonie's sister, not his wife.