Editor’s notice: Judicial authorization to launch the identify and picture of the 17-year-old suspect has expired. The identify of the suspect and his picture have been faraway from this story.
Police in Durham Area are in search of a 17-year-old male they consider is chargeable for the Thanksgiving Day homicide of a on line casino safety guard.
On Oct. 9, shortly after 5 a.m., officers from Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) have been known as to Pickering On line casino Resort, close to Freeway 401 and Brock Highway, for studies of “numerous” photographs fired.
On the scene, they situated on-duty safety guard Michael Ferdinand, who had been shot. The 34-year-old Whitby resident was rushed to the hospital, the place he was pronounced deceased.
“(Ferdinand) was doing his job and ensuring the safety of all patrons of the casino. He was senselessly shot and killed. Michael went to work that day and didn’t come home,” Det. Sgt. Brad Nook, of the drive’s Main Crime – Murder Unit, mentioned throughout a Wednesday morning information convention.
“We now owe it to his family, friends, and co-workers to bring those responsible to justice.”
Police have obtained judicial authorization to determine the youth needed for this murder. That authorization will, nevertheless, expire on Nov. 11.
The suspect is needed on a Canada-wide warrant for second-degree homicide.
Police have additionally briefly launched a picture of the suspect.
He’s of “no fixed address” however recognized to have connections to North York’s Driftwood space, close to Jane Avenue and Finch Avenue West, Nook mentioned.
“We’re pleading for the public’s assistance in locating him,” he mentioned.
Police mentioned the suspect needs to be thought-about “armed and dangerous” and urged anybody who sees him to name 911 instantly and never strategy him.
Nook additionally known as on him to get a lawyer and give up to authorities, reminding folks that anybody who’s discovered to be serving to the suspect evade police is “guilty of an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
The precise motive for the homicide remains to be beneath investigation, although Nook mentioned that “it doesn’t appear to be a planned attack.”
A photograph of homicide sufferer Michael Ferdinand. (Equipped picture)
Nice Canadian Leisure, which runs Pickering On line casino Resort, mentioned the issuance of the warrant for a suspect represents an “important step forward in achieving justice for Michael and the Ferdinand family.”
“We are grateful to the Durham Regional Police for their continued efforts and hope for the quick apprehension of this suspect. The safety of our guests, team members and community is our priority and we will continue to fully support the Durham Regional Police in their investigation,” the corporate mentioned.
In a follow-up assertion supplied to Ontario Chronicle Toronto, Michael Kim, Nice Canadian Leisure’s government vice-president of GTA Operations, remembered Ferdinand as a “great guy,” somebody who all the time went to “extra mile,” and who was all the time in a superb temper.
“He took his role seriously, and the impact of his dedication was truly inspiring. I don’t know anyone who has anything but wonderful things to say about him, and we are all shattered by this senseless event,” Kim mentioned.
“We cannot imagine the loss for his family, and our focus will remain on supporting our team and his family through this ordeal.”
The corporate beforehand instructed CP24.com that Ferdinand labored at its Pickering on line casino as a safety officer for about six months.
