Durham cops said a suspect wanted in connection with the shooting death of a security guard at a Pickering casino nearly three years ago has been arrested.
The suspect, identified as Michael Ferdinand, 34, of Whitby, died on October 9, 2023, after being shot multiple times at the Pickering Casino Resort, located near Highway 401 and Brock Road.
Police said Ferdinand was found with gunshots shortly after 5 a.m. inside the casino, and he was shot while on the job.
He was rushed to a hospital, where he later died. Det.-Sgt. Brad Corner described Ferdinand's actions as "doing his job and ensuring the safety of all patrons of the casino."
"He was senselessly shot and killed," Corner said in a news conference in November 2023.
A group of armed men and women arrived at the casino on Durham Live Avenue, near Highway 401 and Church Street South, early on Thanksgiving morning, and fled immediately after the deadly shooting.
Earlier this year, a minor – a 17-year-old boy at the time – was sought on a nationwide warrant for second-degree murder in connection with the deadly shooting.
Investigators obtained judicial authority twice to temporarily identify the teen, and a $25,000 reward was offered for information about his whereabouts.
On Monday, Durham cops announced that a suspect connected to the 2023 homicide had been located outside of Ontario.
With the assistance of out-of-province law-enforcement partners, the suspect was successfully taken into custody.
Police have not announced any charges against the suspect or indicated where exactly he was found.
They are working closely with law-enforcement partners and will pursue all available legal avenues to ensure that any individual sought in connection with this investigation is returned to the appropriate jurisdiction to face the charges against them.
The investigation is active and ongoing, police said.
