In the early hours of Thanksgiving Day, a 34-year-old security guard named Michael Ferdinand met a tragic fate at a casino in Pickering. Multiple individuals, both males and females, are sought by investigators who fled the scene immediately following the deadly incident.
The chilling call reporting “numerous shots” fired within the casino reached local law enforcement around 5:05 a.m., as stated by Durham Regional Police Sgt. Joanne Bortoluss. The victim was promptly conveyed to the hospital, where he was subsequently declared deceased.
“Our ongoing investigation is searching for multiple individuals believed to be involved in the incident, who hastily fled the casino following the shooting,” said Sgt. Bortoluss. It remains unclear as to the length of time the suspected perpetrator(s) spent inside the casino prior to the shooting or what may have motivated the members of the group to unleash multiple shots onto the unfortunate guard.
Bortoluss outlined that an individual was indeed armed upon entry into the casino and assured that the casino, witnesses, and members of their homicide unit are hard at work, collaborating to make sense of the pieces of this puzzling event and promptly apprehend the culprits.
The homicide unit is currently engaged in an analysis of the security footage from the casino, and in conjunction with the accounts from witnesses, aims to collect more insights about the incident and those involved.
Images captured from the scene depict an ambulance and an intense police presence outside the casino resort. A section of the casino remains non-functional as the ongoing police investigation seeks to understand the sequence of events. Nevertheless, guests are permitted to depart as per their requirements.
Pickering Casino Resort has publicly issued a statement indicating a temporary closure until further notice, though no official word has been released about the shooting incident. For now, the public has been advised to stay clear of the area as inquiries progress.
As heartbreaking as this specific incident might be, it’s important not to conflate isolated events with the broader reality of the casino industry. The vast majority of individuals who choose to indulge in gambling activities, whether it be at traditional casinos or online, do so responsibly and safely. If you’re part of those who prefer the comfort of their homes, we recommend checking the top online casinos for this month on our website. Online casinos, particularly those listed on our site, maintain stringent security measures and offer a variety of enticing games, presenting Canadians with a compelling, safe, and entertaining option for indulging their passion for gaming.
