New Brunswick RCMP say one person is dead and another is injured as the search for the gunman continues in the northeastern part of the province.
Police have identified the suspect as 47-year-old Keith Martin. Martin is described as having dark hair and was last seen wearing a grey jacket, jeans and black winter hat and carrying a bag. Police said he had a bandage and blood on his forehead. He is believed to have a firearm.
RCMP Cpl. Hans Ouellette said in an interview that Neguac RCMP responded to a report around 1:47 p.m. AT on Thursday from a person who had been shot in Esgenoopetitj First Nation, also known as Burnt Church, about 37 kilometres east of Miramichi.
At the scene, police found a dead 48-year-old man and an injured man. The injured man was taken to hospital with what police described as non-life threatening injuries.
RCMP posted on social media asking residents of the community to turn on their outdoor lights to help with the search.
RCMP issued a provincewide emergency alert at 4 p.m. Thursday naming Martin as the suspect.
As of 9 p.m., Ouellette said police didn’t have any information to believe Martin has left the Esgenoopetitj area. Martin was last seen on Diggle Point Road, a dead-end road in Esgenoopetitj.
“We have enough police officers out there to ensure everyone’s safety,” Ouellette said.
“We want to let the population know that we are there. We are searching for this individual and we are keeping your community safe. And we want anyone who has information to call us immediately.”
Asked whether the shooting was believed to be random, Ouellette said that is being investigated.
“We’re still trying to determine exactly what is going on here with that situation where those individuals known to Mr. Martin or not,” he said.
Ouellette said residents in the area should remain inside with doors locked and report any sightings of Martin to police immediately.
Earlier on Thursday police issued a vehicle description, but Ouellette said police are no longer searching for that vehicle.
Radio-Canada reported that the coastal community of about 2,000 people was quiet Thursday evening with few vehicles on the road, as well as police cars.
The mayor of the nearby community of Neguac told Radio-Canada that he’s worried about the situation.
“We have someone walking around with a weapon, possibly,” Georges Savoie said. “It’s not very reassuring. We don’t know where he’s going to reappear.”
Miramichi hospital restricts access
Horizon Health Network said on social media at 7 p.m. that access to the Miramichi Regional Hospital is “restricted” as a precautionary measure because of the ongoing police operation.
“The emergency department will remain open, but social visitation is not encouraged at this time,” Horizon stated. “There will be an enhanced police and security presence on site. We will advise when access has returned to normal.”