Tuesday standoff was ‘hostage situation’
Codi Martin, 32, now faces new charges of being unlawfully at large, possessing firearms
A standoff that lasted for hours and led to a northside neighbourhood being locked down Tuesday stemmed from “a hostage situation” involved a wanted parolee, the Fredericton Police Force reports.
Police officers armed with rifles descended on Dykeman Street early Tuesday morning and told residents to shelter in place while evacuating others.
The situation ended after several hours when Codi Timothy Martin, 32, of no fixed address, who was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant was arrested, the police force said earlier in the week.
In a news release issued Friday, though, police now advise officers were responding to someone allegedly being held hostage.
“On Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, at approximately 7 a.m., the Fredericton Police Force responded to a hostage situation on Dykeman Street,” Friday’s release said.
“Various units, including the emergency response team, crisis negotiation team, forensic identification, major crime and patrol officers were on the scene.”
The RCMP also dispatched its emergency response team and a canine unit, it said, and the Saint John Police Force’s canine unit also assisted. Furthermore, Fredericton police said, the provincial explosive disposal unit also attended the scene.
“A secure perimeter was established, and the hostage was released soon after,” the release said.
“Residents were advised to shelter in place, and a temporary shelter was provided for those evacuated.”
Martin was arrested shortly after noon Tuesday, it said.
“He was unlawfully at large and subject to a Canada-wide warrant,” the release said. “Martin will be returned to federal custody.”
However, the city police force laid new criminal charges against Martin this week as a result of Tuesday’s events.
Martin is accused of possessing a Maverick Model 88 shotgun without a licence, possessing prohibited and restricted firearms - a sawed-off shotgun and 9-mm revolver - without a licence or registration certification, possessing a prohibited weapon (a Taser), violating a court order prohibiting him from possessing firearms, storing the firearms carelessly and being unlawfully at large in violation of a federal prison sentence.
He also faces several charges alleged to have occurred in Fredericton on Nov. 21.
Those counts include pointing a firearm at a complainant, uttering a threat to that complainant to cause her death and/or bodily harm, possessing a 9-mm handgun without a licence and violating the court-ordered firearms prohibition.
He’s due to elect mode of trial and enter pleas to those charges March 5.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.