Authorities have identified a 17-year-old suspect in connection with the murder of a security guard at a casino in Pickering last month.
The male suspect is wanted for second-degree murder regarding the death of Michael Ferdinand, 34, on October 9, according to Durham Regional Police who spoke with reporters Wednesday morning.
Even though the suspect is considered a minor, police mentioned they received approval from a judge to publicly share his name and image for five days. Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, this permission expired on November 11.
A Canada-wide warrant has now been issued for his arrest, police confirmed.
“We are pleading for the public’s assistance in locating him,” Detective Sgt. Brad Corner stated during Wednesday’s news conference.
The suspect reportedly does not have a permanent address but has connections to the Jane and Finch neighborhood in Toronto, police indicated.
Authorities consider him armed and dangerous, urging anyone who sees him not to approach but to call 9-1-1 right away.
Corner explained that police identified the teenager as a suspect after weeks of interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage.
Michael Ferdinand was shot while he was on duty inside the Pickering Casino Resort at around 5 a. m. on October 9. Police said he was taken to a trauma center but later pronounced dead.
Later that morning, Durham Police Sgt. Joanne Bortoluss reported that several armed men and women fled from the casino immediately following the shooting. Only one suspect has been named as of Wednesday by Durham Police.
Detective Sgt. Corner mentioned that authorities have not yet determined a motive for the shooting and continue their investigation.
“We now owe it to [Ferdinand’s] family, friends and co-workers to bring those responsible to justice,” he added.
Ferdinand’s colleagues set up a Go Fund Me page which quickly raised nearly $40,000 for his wife and family shortly after his death.
“Our brother was taken from us from way too soon by a senseless act of gun violence that had no reason to ever be escalated to that extent,” Ferdinand’s former co-worker Viny Cuello wrote on the Go Fund Me page. “Mike’s bright soul was taken from us way too soon and left us with a massive void in our hearts but his bravery and love will always live on in our everyday life for the rest of our lives.”
If anyone has information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts or if they’ve been in contact with him since October 9, they’re encouraged to reach out to the Durham Regional Police Homicide Unit at 905-579-1520 ext. 5444 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-2477.</P
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Authorities also urge the suspect to seek legal counsel and turn himself into law enforcement.
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