Maine man arrested after shooting that left one person dead in northeast N.B.

RCMP say a 47-year-old man from Maine who was the subject of a manhunt in eastern New Brunswick has been arrested. 

The announcement made on social media came just over 24 hours after police said they were first called about a shooting in Esgenoôpetitj First Nation, about 37 kilometres northeast of Miramichi.

No details have been released yet about where the man was arrested or his condition.

Carla Ward of Esgenoôpetitj saw the man arrested, telling CBC News that she felt glad the search was over. 

"I was just going to get a tea at Tims and saw the suspect getting put in a police cruiser," Ward said in an interview shortly after.

"So I had to tell the community as soon as possible because everyone has been at their wits' end with worry."

WATCH | On the ground in Burnt Church, after arrest of alleged gunman:

Esgenoôpetitj community at ease after shooting suspect arrested

3 months ago

Duration 1:06

RCMP arrested a suspect in a shooting that left one person dead and another injured in Esgenoopetitj First Nation, northeast of Miramichi, on Thursday. The suspect was arrested just before 3 p.m. Friday.

RCMP Cpl. Hans Ouellette said in an interview Thursday evening that Neguac RCMP responded to a report around 1:45 p.m. on Thursday from a person who had been shot in Esgenoopetitj, also known as Burnt Church.

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 issued a provincewide emergency alert at 4 p.m. Thursday naming a suspect. His arrest was announced just before 3 p.m. on Friday. 

Horizon Health Network said on social media that access to the Miramichi Regional Hospital had returned to normal. 

The health authority had restricted access during the police search. 

Community member Diana Simon said she found out at a police checkpoint on the highway Thursday night that someone had been hurt.

WATCH | Police presence was heavy in the area when search was underway:

Heavy police presence in Burnt Church as manhunt continues

3 months ago

Duration 0:37

RCMP set up barricades on Micmac Road in Esgenoopetitj First Nation on Friday morning as part of a search for a 47-year-old man, who police say is a suspect in a shooting that left one dead and another injured on Thursday. The barricades were removed Friday afternoon, though the suspect remains at large.

Simon said she was a retiree who used to work at the Esgenoopetitj band office.

"It comes as a shock," she said. "Usually it's pretty quiet here."