Police watchdog investigating after Mi’kmaw man killed by RCMP at Elsipogtog First Nation

A Mi’kmaw man was shot and killed by police late Sunday night on the Elsipogtog First Nation, about 55 kilometres north of Moncton. 

A statement from the First Nation said the band sent its condolences to the man’s family and the entire community. It said immediate action is being taken.

“We are doing our best to gather information and understand what transpired,” the statement said.  

“We are doing everything in our power to ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted and that proper justice is served.” 

The statement said that though residents may notice an increased RCMP presence, the officer involved in the incident has been removed from the community. 

The statement urged anyone with information or who witnessed the incident to contact Nova Scotia’s Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT), which is investigating.

The Serious Incident Reponse Team is a civilian-led police oversight agency that investigates incidents that stem from police actions, including death, serious injury, and sexual assault. It has an agreement with the New Brunswick government to investigate serious incidents involving the police in New Brunswick.

A statement from SIRT said RCMP were called about a man threatening to hurt himself. Two RCMP officers responded and were approached by a man carrying weapons. 

The SiRT statement said one officer attempted to Tase the man “but it was ineffective” and the other officer shot the man, who was declared dead soon after. 

Community members set up a fire outside the Elsipogtog RCMP station Monday for people to share prayers and come together to drum and sing to remember the man. 

A statement from RCMP published Monday afternoon said officers from the Elsipogtog detachment responded to a call around 11:19 p.m. about a man in mental distress with a weapon at a residence in the community.

The statement said the man refused to drop his weapon and a member shot their gun at the man. The statement said first aid was immediately administered and the man was taken to hospital where he later died. 

Cpl. Hans Ouellette, spokesperson for New Brunswick RCMP, said the member’s status with the organization is currently under review and they are being supported by the RCMP’s health services office. 

This marks the third shooting of a First Nations person by police in New Brunswick in under five years.