Durham Police Arrest Suspect in Pickering Casino Homicide

On October 9, 2023, officers responded to a shooting at Pickering Casino Resort in Durham Region, Ontario. The victim, 34‑year‑old Michael Ferdinand, was found with gunshot wounds and later died at a Toronto‑area trauma centre.

Investigators identified a 17‑year‑old male as the suspect and issued a Canada‑wide warrant. After a coordinated effort involving the Durham Region Police Service, Calgary Police Service, Saskatoon Police Service, Vancouver Police Department and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the suspect was located and arrested in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He was returned to Durham Region and charged with second‑degree murder, pending a bail hearing.

The Youth Criminal Justice Act authorized the public release of the suspect’s name and photo in November 2023 and again in December 2025, with a requirement that all identifying material be removed five days after each release.