An American man convicted of a second‑degree murder and related attempted murder in northeastern New Brunswick was sentenced on Tuesday to life in prison with no eligibility for parole for 14 years for the homicide charge, court records show.
Manhunt and emergency alert
The case stems from a firearm‑related incident on Sept. 5, 2024, in the area of Esgenoôpetitj (also known as Burnt Church) First Nation. RCMP investigators found a 48‑year‑old man dead and another man injured after what police described as a firearm incident that prompted an emergency public safety message for residents.
Police said they were looking for Martin, who they believed was carrying a firearm “with dangerous intent.”
The alert advised people to stay inside, keep doors locked and to avoid the area while police conducted an extensive search for the suspect. The man, later identified by police as an American national, was located and arrested after almost a day of searching.
Charges, conviction and sentence
The accused, identified in court documents as Keith Martin of Maine, was charged with second‑degree murder in connection with the death of Mark Dwayne Mitchell and with the attempted murder of Sylvio Savoie. A jury found Martin guilty of both charges in June.
At a hearing in the Miramichi Court of King’s Bench on Tuesday, the judge imposed the mandatory life sentence for second‑degree murder with parole ineligibility set at 14 years. The nine‑year sentence for the attempted murder count will be served concurrently, meaning the sentences overlap.
| Charge | Verdict | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Second‑degree murder (Mark Dwayne Mitchell) | Guilty | Life; parole ineligible for 14 years |
| Attempted murder (Sylvio Savoie) | Guilty | 9 years (concurrent) |
Impact on the community
The incident and subsequent manhunt disrupted daily life in Esgenoôpetitj, a Mi’kmaq community on New Brunswick’s northeastern coast. Emergency alerts of this nature are rare in the province and can generate significant concern among residents, particularly when police warn a suspect may be armed.
Local leaders and residents have previously expressed the importance of clear, timely communication during public safety events, and this case underscored that need. The RCMP photo of the accused was shared publicly during the manhunt as investigators sought assistance and to keep the community informed.
Legal context and next steps
Second‑degree murder in Canada carries a mandatory life sentence; parole eligibility for that conviction is determined by the court within the framework of federal sentencing law. In this case, the judge set the period before parole eligibility at 14 years for the murder conviction.
There may be further legal steps available to the defence, including appeals, but court records indicate the sentences handed down on Tuesday will govern the custody status of the accused unless altered by a higher court.
- Where: Esgenoôpetitj (Burnt Church) First Nation area, northeastern New Brunswick
- When: Shooting occurred Sept. 5, 2024; sentencing on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2026
- People involved: Victim — Mark Dwayne Mitchell (48); injured — Sylvio Savoie; convicted — Keith Martin (U.S. national)
The case was prosecuted in New Brunswick’s court system; reporting relied on court appearances and RCMP statements. The sentencing closes the criminal proceedings at the trial level, though both Crown and defence may pursue appellate options in accordance with Canadian law.
This article was compiled from court reports and RCMP releases concerning the incident and subsequent prosecution. For ongoing coverage and further developments from across the province, visit WE NEWS’s New Brunswick page.
