Serious Incident Response Team Concludes Investigation into Police Involved Shooting in Elsipogtog First Nation

The Director of the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) found no reasonable grounds to believe a member of the RCMP in New Brunswick committed a criminal offence when he discharged a firearm while responding to a call in Elsipogtog First Nation.

On the night of September 8, 2024, two members of the RCMP attended a home in Elsipogtog in response to 911 calls about an adult male who was in possession of weapons and was thinking of suicide. 

When officers arrived at the home, they located the male in a bedroom and tried to engage in conversation. He showed signs of intoxication and was holding multiple throwing axes, which the officers instructed him to drop or he would be tased. The male did not comply with the officers’ commands, and after a short period of time he forcefully threw one of the axes towards the officers and others in the home. One officer discharged his taser, which was ineffective in stopping the male. The male attempted to throw a second axe when the other officer discharged his firearm, striking the male. Emergency Medical Services was called, and the male was transported to the hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

In the early morning of September 9, 2024, RCMP contacted SiRT, and an investigation was started that day. 

The SiRT Director’s detailed Summary Report is available online: 24-066-summary-of-investigation.pdf . Please be mindful that this report references death and suicidal thoughts and some content may be difficult or triggering to read.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. Support for mental health, addiction and wellbeing is available for children, youth and adults. Information can be found at:  https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/health/Suicide_Prevention.html .

SiRT is responsible for investigating all matters that involve death, serious injury, sexual assault and intimate partner violence or other matters of a public interest to be investigated that may have arisen from the actions of any police officer in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Investigations are under the direction and control of an independent civilian director, who has the sole authority to determine if charges should be laid at the conclusion of an investigation.

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