Police fatal shooting kills man in Neqotkuk First Nation

On Sunday, January 18 2026, a fatal police‑involved shooting occurred at Neqotkuk First Nation, the community formerly known as Tobique, in north‑western New Brunswick, about 180 km northwest of Fredericton. The incident, which took place around 10 p.m. AT, ended with the death of 32‑year‑old Bronson Paul, a resident described by the First Nation as a son, father, brother and partner. An independent watchdog, the Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT), released a statement that same evening and is now investigating the event. Local leaders—Chief Ross Perley and council—issued a statement on community letter‑head and called for transparency. The RCMP’s social‑media advisory warned residents to stay away during the operation, and the First Nation has closed its RCMP detachment pending safety assessments.