Two Charged in 2021 Eskasoni Shooting

Published on: January 23, 2026

After a nearly five-year investigation, the RCMP have arrested two men in connection with a shooting on the Eskasoni First Nation in Nova Scotia.

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Table of Contents

The 2021 Incident

The charges stem from an incident on February 28, 2021, on Mountain View Drive. A 53-year-old man was shot through a window while inside a residence. Though he sustained injuries, they were non-life-threatening.

Police specialized in digital and forensic analysis spent years piecing together evidence to identify the suspects, ultimately concluding the attack was targeted rather than random.

The Accused

Ashton Bernard (35), Eskasoni: Faces charges of attempted murder, discharging a firearm with intent, and several weapons offenses.
Edwin Paul (29), Chapel Island: Charged with being an accessory after the fact.

What’s Next?

Both men were arrested on January 20, 2026. They have since been released on conditions and are expected to appear in Sydney Provincial Court on March 3, 2026.

Context Note: This breakthrough comes at a sensitive time for Nova Scotia’s Mi’kmaw communities, following two recent police-involved shootings that have sparked renewed calls for Indigenous-led oversight and policing reform.