The hunt for Tyjae Nosworthy-Smith, now 20, intensifies as authorities announce a $25,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. He was just 17 when a single, brutal act shattered a family and left a community reeling in October 2023.
Michael Ferdinand, a 34-year-old security guard, went to work on Thanksgiving morning and never returned. Gunned down inside the Pickering Casino Resort, his life was extinguished in a senseless act of violence, leaving behind a void that his loved ones describe as irreparable.
A Canada-wide warrant remains in effect for Nosworthy-Smith, charged with second-degree murder. Police warn that he should be considered armed and dangerous, a chilling reality for those who might unknowingly cross his path.
“This will be our third Christmas without Mike, and there’s been no justice,” Mara Abolins, Ferdinand’s widow, shared with heartbreaking honesty. Her words echo the agonizing wait for answers, the desperate plea for accountability that consumes her family.
The initial release of Nosworthy-Smith’s identity was limited by the Youth Criminal Justice Act, allowing public distribution for only five days. Now, with renewed judicial authorization – an authorization that expires soon – his name and image are once again circulating, a last-ditch effort to bring him to justice.
Investigators believe Nosworthy-Smith, also known as “Baby 2,” maintains ties to the Driftwood community in Toronto and the city of Brampton, despite having no fixed address. He is described as 5-foot-8, weighing 110 pounds, and bearing a tattoo of the name “Chantel” on his left elbow – details that could be crucial to his identification.
The events unfolded with terrifying speed. A group, armed and determined, descended upon the casino in the early hours of the morning, unleashing violence before swiftly disappearing. Ferdinand, caught in the crossfire, was rushed to a Toronto hospital, but the injuries were too severe.
“Michael’s murder was senseless and devastating,” stated Det. Sgt. Erik Mamers, his voice heavy with the weight of the investigation. “We owe it to Michael, his family, and the community to find the person responsible.” He implores anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward.
Police are clear: approaching Nosworthy-Smith is dangerous. They urge anyone who spots him to immediately contact 911. To Nosworthy-Smith himself, they offer a stark choice: seek legal counsel and surrender, or face the full force of the law.
Beyond the details of the crime, lies a portrait of a man deeply loved. Mara Abolins remembers her husband as a beacon of light, a man who possessed the rare gift of making everyone feel truly seen, a husband, son, brother, and friend whose absence has left an unfillable emptiness.
“He was loving, caring, and generous,” Abolins recalled, her voice thick with emotion. “He made people smile and he made everyone laugh. He had this ability…to make every person and every moment feel like something special.” The search continues, fueled by a widow’s grief and a community’s unwavering hope for justice.
