RCMP shot and killed a man on a First Nation in northwestern New Brunswick on Sunday evening, prompting the chief to call for the closure of the Mounties’ detachment on the Indigenous territory.
The police oversight agency that serves Nova Scotia and New Brunswick says it’s investigating a “police-involved shooting” on Neqotkuk, also known as Tobique First Nation, near the province’s border with Maine.
A statement issued late Sunday from Neqotkuk First Nation Chief Ross Perley and council identified the deceased as Bronson Paul and extended condolences to his family and friends.
“Bronson was a son, father, brother, partner, nephew and so much more,” the statement said.
Perley and council say the RCMP detachment in Neqotkuk would be immediately closing “until we know that it is safe for our community members.”
The RCMP and the New Brunswick’s Department of Justice did not immediately respond to questions about whether the detachment was still open.
The New Brunswick RCMP said in a statement Monday their officers responded to a report of a “domestic dispute” at a residence on Main Street in Neqotkuk First Nation.
“As the situation quickly evolved, a man armed with an edged weapon advanced towards members,” the statement said.
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Police say a conducted energy weapon was deployed “ineffectively” and an officer discharged their firearm at the man. First aid was administered at the scene, police say, and he was taken to hospital where he died.
Perley said that a sacred fire has been lit at a community hall on the First Nation as members try piecing together what happened.
The chief and council say that before the shooting, the RCMP did not request assistance from the First Nation’s council, outreach team or tribal security members.
“We understand that our community members are angry, confused, scared and shocked. We share that sentiment with all of our community members.”
In the past, the statement says, such requests have typically “helped de-escalate these situations.”
“We are unsure why lethal force was used in this case; however, Bronson is another Indigenous man who was killed in the hands of the police, along with Rodney Levi, Chantel Moore and Steven (Iggy) Dedam.”
Levi was shot and killed by RCMP in Sunny Corner, N.B., about 30 kilometres west of Miramichi, in June 2020. The coroner’s inquest ruled the death a homicide and made a slew of recommendations, including that the RCMP not be the first responders during mental wellness checks on First Nations. Moore was shot and killed during a wellness check by Edmundston Police that same month. The coroner’s recommendations in her case included more training for police and for them to increase their use of less lethal tools.
Dedam from Elsipogtog First Nation, which is about 60 kilometres north of Moncton, was shot and killed by an RCMP officer in September 2024. The police watchdog determined last year the officer involved did not commit a criminal offence when he discharged his firearm.
Their deaths prompted outrage and calls from First Nations for an independent inquiry into systemic racism in the justice system.
Premier Susan Holt said she is deeply saddened by Paul’s death.
“Our thoughts are with his children, his family, and the entire Neqotkuk community as they navigate this difficult and painful time,” Holt said in an emailed statement.
“We have offered Chief Perley and council our support and are committed to ensuring that the investigation proceeds in a fair, transparent and urgent way, so the family and community can have the answers and long-term solutions they need.”
On Friday, the New Brunswick government shared their first official response to a 2022 report on systemic racism, but the province is not committing to moving ahead with key recommendations related to racism in policing.
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