Overview
- The Serious Incident Response Team says one man died and it assumed the investigation shortly after being contacted by the RCMP on Jan. 18.
- Neqotkuk Chief Ross Perley and the band council identified the deceased as Bronson Paul and offered condolences to his family.
- The RCMP issued a social media advisory during the operation but has not provided further details or formally confirmed the death.
- The band council closed the local RCMP detachment, arranged for police to be escorted to calls by tribal security, and lit a sacred fire for community support.
- Leaders say a 911 call preceded the incident and that police did not request help from tribal security, a resource they say typically aids de-escalation, noting concerns tied to previous Indigenous deaths involving police.