Published: 2026-01-19

The Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) is investigating a matter involving the discharge of a firearm by a member of the RCMP which resulted in the death of an adult Indigenous male from Neqotkuk (Tobique) First Nation.

On the evening of January 18, 2026 SiRT was contacted by the RCMP regarding a police involved shooting that occurred on Neqotkuk First Nation. SiRT assumed responsibility for the investigation immediately. Investigators are on the scene.

Details are still being collected, but preliminary information suggests the following:

• Members of the RCMP were called to a residence regarding a domestic disturbance.
• Officers located an adult male in the house who was in possession of a weapon.
• Details around the evening are still being collected but SiRT can confirm a Conductive Energy Weapon (Taser) was deployed but was ineffective. Then another officer fired their service weapon striking the male.
• Life saving measures were administered and the male was transported to hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

Members of the SiRT team have spoken with Chief Perley and are committed to providing a thorough and transparent investigation.

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 that may have arisen from the actions of any police officer, on or off duty, in Nova Scotia or 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. To learn more visit: sirtnsnb.ca .

Media Contact

Khalehla Perrault
Manager of Strategic Communications & Special Projects
Email: Khalehla.Perrault@novascotia.ca