Update: On September 7, 2024, 47-year-old Keith Martin from Maine, U.S.A., appeared in Miramichi Provincial Court and was charged with second degree murder in connection with the death of 48-year-old Mark Mitchell of Esgenoopetitj First Nation. Keith Martin was remanded into custody, and is scheduled to return to court September 11, 2024 at 09:30 a.m.
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A 47-year-old man from Maine, U.S.A, has been arrested following an incident in the Esgenoopetitj (Burnt Church) First Nation community that resulted in one person dead and another injured.
On September 5, 2024, at 3:59 p.m. an Alert Ready message was issued advising residents of the Esgenoopetitj (Burnt Church) First Nation area to remain inside with doors locked, and for others to avoid the area. The Alert Ready was initiated after a 48-year-old man was found dead and another man injured, following a firearm-related incident.
Police were searching for a 47-year-old man, who was believed to be carrying a firearm with dangerous intent in the area. At the time of the Alert Ready message, the man was last seen on Diggle Point Road.
On September 6, 2024, at approximately 1:12 p.m., the New Brunswick RCMP ended the Alert Ready message for the Esgenoopetitj (Burnt Church) First Nation area. Police advised that they were still searching for the man, who remained at large, and urged the public to contact them if they had any information on his location.
Shortly after, at approximately 2:35 p.m., the New Brunswick RCMP confirmed they arrested a 47-year-old man in connection with this incident. He has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in court on a later date.
The New Brunswick RCMP would like to thank the public for their support and assistance during this incident.
The investigation is ongoing.