A security guard was fatally shot at the Pickering Casino Resort in Pickering, Ontario. The victim, identified as 34-year-old Michael Ferdinand, was on duty when multiple gunshots were fired inside the casino premises around 5:05 a.m., according to Durham Regional Police. Ferdinand was swiftly transported to a nearby trauma center but succumbed to his injuries. No other individuals were reported injured during the incident.
Durham Regional Police Sgt. Joanne Bortoluss addressed the media, stating that the assailants, described as both men and women, fled the scene after the shooting. The motives behind the attack remain unknown, and investigators are diligently working to piece together the events leading up to the incident. Bortoluss emphasized that someone had been armed upon entering the casino and that they are collaborating with the casino, witnesses, and their homicide unit to apprehend those responsible.
Following the shooting, the Pickering Casino Resort, operated by the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, has been temporarily closed as law enforcement conducts a comprehensive investigation. The closure period remains undisclosed, and authorities are urging people to avoid the area during the ongoing investigation.