Esgenoopetitj homicide: Maine man convicted of murder, attempt murder

Community Safety Alert for Esgenoopetitj First Nation and New Brunswick

A jury has found a 49-year-old man from Maine, USA, guilty in connection with a deadly firearm incident that led to an Alert Ready emergency notification in Esgenoopetitj (Burnt Church) First Nation, New Brunswick, in September 2024. The case involved the death of one man and serious injury to another, and prompted a significant police response and community lockdown at the time.

Following a 23-day trial that concluded on June 11, 2026, the accused, Keith Martin, was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of Mark Dwayne Mitchell and attempted murder of Sylvio Savoie. Martin has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on September 15, 2026.

Official Incident Timeline and Details

The incident that led to this conviction began on September 5, 2024, when a firearm-related event occurred in the Esgenoopetitj (Burnt Church) First Nation area. In response to the immediate risk to the public, authorities activated the provincial emergency alert system.

Key facts from the official RCMP release include:

• On September 5, 2024, at approximately 3:59 p.m., an Alert Ready message was issued to residents in the Esgenoopetitj (Burnt Church) First Nation area, instructing people to stay indoors, lock their doors, and for others to avoid the area.
• The alert followed the discovery of a 48-year-old man deceased and another man injured after a firearm-related incident.
• Over the next day, multiple officers and investigators carried out extensive ground searches in and around the affected community.
• On September 6, 2024, at about 2:20 p.m., members of the RCMP Police Dog Services (PDS) and the Emergency Response Team (ERT) located and arrested a then 47-year-old man from Maine, USA, in connection with the case.
• On September 11, 2024, the accused, Keith Martin, appeared in Miramichi Provincial Court and was formally charged.

Convictions and Court Outcomes

Following the conclusion of the trial on June 11, 2026, the jury returned guilty verdicts on two serious charges linked to the events of September 5, 2024:

• Second-degree murder of Mark Dwayne Mitchell
• Attempted murder of Sylvio Savoie

After the verdict, Keith Martin was ordered held in custody. Sentencing has been scheduled for September 15, 2026. The New Brunswick RCMP formally acknowledged the efforts of the Tracadie and Neguac RCMP detachments, along with multiple specialized units and partner organizations, for their support during the Alert Ready response and subsequent investigation.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

At CrimeCanada.ca, this case underscores how quickly a firearm incident can escalate into a large-scale public safety emergency, forcing residents to shelter in place and stretching local police resources. Communities like Esgenoopetitj First Nation often have strong social ties, and violent events can have long-lasting emotional and cultural impacts well beyond the immediate crime scene. Our national data, including community-level profiles such as the Ocean Man 69D crime and safety statistics, shows that smaller or rural communities are not insulated from serious violence and must remain prepared.

For residents of New Brunswick, this incident is a reminder of several key safety practices: take Alert Ready notifications seriously, follow all instructions from authorities without delay, keep doors and windows secured when an active police search is underway, and stay informed through verified sources such as police releases and trusted safety platforms. If you ever observe weapons, threats, or suspicious behaviour that could lead to violence, contact local police or emergency services immediately—early reporting can prevent tragedies and help protect your neighbours.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the new-brunswick community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.