Arrest made in 2023 fatal shooting of security guard at Pickering casino

Durham police say the suspect, who was 17 years old at the time of the shooting, is now facing a second-degree murder charge following the 2023 shooting.

Police say a suspect who was wanted in connection with the murder of a security guard at a casino in Durham Region almost three years ago has been arrested.

Whitby resident Michael Ferdinand, 34, died on Oct. 9, 2023 after being shot multiple times at Pickering Casino Report, near Highway 401 and Brock Road.

In the fall of 2025, Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) announced that a minor, a boy who was 17 years old at that time, was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for second-degree murder in connection with the shooting.

• READ MORE: ‘Senseless killing’: Canada-wide warrant issued for 17-year-old male in connection with murder of Pickering Casino security guard

Investigators obtained judicial authority on two occasions late last year to temporarily identify the teen.

A $25,000 reward for information about his whereabouts was also offered.

Suspect located out of province: police

On Monday, DRPS confirmed to CP24 that a suspect connected to this homicide investigation has been located.

They have not announced what charges he may be facing, nor where exactly he was found.

“With the assistance of our out-of-province law enforcement partners, the suspect was successfully taken into custody,” they wrote in an email.

Police went on to say that 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.”

This investigation is “active and ongoing,” they added.

With files from CP24’s Codi Wilson