Almost three years ago, in the early hours of October 9, 2023, Pickering Casino Resort’s security guard Michael Ferdinand tragically lost his life in a shooting incident, shocking the local community and prompting a lengthy investigation by Durham Regional Police.
At the time, investigators issued a Canada-wide warrant for a 17-year-old suspect wanted on a charge of second-degree murder. However, since he was underage at the time of the alleged offence, authorities were not able to publicly identify him.
The case therefore remained open for years, until July 15, 2026, when investigators finally arrested the suspect.
The man, for whose whereabouts Crime Stoppers announced a $25,000 reward last year, was taken into custody in Saskatchewan with assistance from law enforcement agencies outside the province, said authorities in an announcement on July 20.
How the Deadly Shooting Took Place
Right before 5 am on October 9, police received a report of a shooting at the casino. At the scene, they found 34-year-old Ferdinand had suffered a life-threatening gunshot wound.
According to a sentencing decision from the Ontario Superior Court in 2025, the man had previously tried to remove a teenager, allegedly accompanied by a possible accomplice, from the premises.
Court files say the group arrived at the casino in a stolen Honda Civic at 4 am after they spent part of the night outside a club in Toronto. The alleged shooter was also allegedly involved in a confrontation at the club, when he pulled a handgun, pointing it at a bouncer who did not allow him to enter the premises.
As the group was leaving, one of his companions grabbed a necklace from another man. The group then proceeded to drive to the Pickering Casino, where they spent their time in the lobby for roughly an hour.
At approximately 5 am, the suspect went into the washroom together with a female companion, but they were spotted by the security guard on duty. The latter confronted the teenager and tried to escort him out of the casino.
At that point, the suspect allegedly pulled the handgun that he had been carrying on his waistband and pointed it at the guard. Court filings said Ferdinand then tried to grab the gun from him, causing both men to fall to the floor.
The struggle led to two shots being fired, one hitting the ceiling above a Starbucks kiosk and the other hitting the security guard’s chest.
Several group members then ran toward the suspect, and one of them allegedly grabbed the gun while another pulled the 17-year-old off the guard. Eventually, the group fled the premises and left Ferdinand to lie bleeding heavily.
The group then drove the stolen car out of the parking lot and passed three police cars from the opposite direction.
One Accomplice Pleaded Guilty
The guard was taken to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto and pronounced dead shortly after.
One group member, identified as K.D., pleaded guilty to knowingly assisting the shooter to avoid arrest, admitting that he drove the alleged shooter away from the casino.
K.D. received a six-month deferred custody and supervision order last March, along with a 12- months probation, with the court arguing that the suspect had not actively participated in the shooting itself but had helped the alleged gunman avoid getting caught.
Investigators noted at the time that the then-17-year-old suspect shooter had no fixed address when the shooting occurred.
He Had a Loaded Gun on Him
On Monday, Saskatoon police said officers found a loaded handgun during a search of the suspect following his arrest.
“During a search of his person, a loaded handgun was located and seized,” the Saskatoon Police Service said.
Officials say arrangements are now underway to return the accused to Durham Region, where he is expected to face the charges against him.
Durham Regional Police say the investigation is still open and active and that additional information will be released as deemed appropriate.