'Senseless killing': Canada-wide warrant issued for 17-year-old male in connection with murder of Pickering Casino security guard

Editor's note: Judicial authorization to release the name and image of the 17-year-old suspect has expired. The name of the suspect and his image have been removed from this story.

Police in Durham Region are looking for a 17-year-old male they believe is responsible for the Thanksgiving Day murder of a casino security guard.

On Oct. 9, shortly after 5 a.m., officers from Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) were called to Pickering Casino Resort, near Highway 401 and Brock Road, for reports of “numerous” shots fired.

At the scene, they located on-duty security guard Michael Ferdinand, who had been shot. The 34-year-old Whitby resident was rushed to the hospital, where 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 Corner, of the force’s Major Crime – Homicide Unit, said during a Wednesday morning news conference.

“We now owe it to his family, friends, and co-workers to bring those responsible to justice.”

Police have obtained judicial authorization to identify the youth wanted for this homicide. That authorization will, however, expire on Nov. 11.

The suspect is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for second-degree murder.

Police have also temporarily released an image of the suspect.

He is of “no fixed address” but known to have connections to North York’s Driftwood area, near Jane Street and Finch Avenue West, Corner said.

“We’re pleading for the public's assistance in locating him,” he said.

Police said the suspect should be considered “armed and dangerous” and urged anyone who sees him to call 911 immediately and not approach him.

Corner also called on him to get a lawyer and surrender to authorities, reminding people that anyone who is found to be helping 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 exact motive for the murder is still under investigation, though Corner said that “it doesn’t appear to be a planned attack.”

A photo of murder victim Michael Ferdinand. (Supplied photo)

Great Canadian Entertainment, which runs Pickering Casino Resort, said 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 company said.

In a follow-up statement provided to CTV News Toronto, Michael Kim, Great Canadian Entertainment’s executive vice-president of GTA Operations, remembered Ferdinand as a “great guy,” someone who always went to “extra mile,” and who was always in a good mood.

“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 said.

“We cannot imagine the loss for his family, and our focus will remain on supporting our team and his family through this ordeal.”

The company previously told CP24.com that Ferdinand worked at its Pickering casino as a security officer for about six months.