Toronto Teen Suspect Arrested in Poker Pro Murder Following Wild Shootout

Toronto Teen Suspect Arrested in Poker Pro Murder Following Wild Shootout

By Michael Davidson

November 20, 2024 at 07:05 PM

Toronto police have arrested a 16-year-old suspect in connection with the murder of high-stakes online poker player Matthew Bergart. The teen faces second-degree homicide charges following a dramatic shootout at a Toronto recording studio.

Man holding iPhone

Man holding iPhone

Bergart, 30, was fatally shot on April 25, 2024, during a targeted home invasion in Toronto's Etobicoke district. Three masked suspects broke in demanding valuables before shooting Bergart multiple times. Police confirmed the property owner, not Bergart, was the intended target.

The arrest came during a "Wild West" shootout at a recording studio where over 100 bullets were exchanged. Police were investigating an unrelated robbery when three men in a stolen car opened fire at the studio. The incident led to 23 arrests, with eight people charged with firearms offenses.

Detective Sergeant Brandon Price stated: "This is a situation where there was a bad decision to do a break and enter, and that was compounded and turned into a murder." Staff Sergeant Joe Matthews expressed concern about the young age of many suspects involved.

Bergart was known in the poker community as a fearless high-stakes online player who competed against some of the world's best. Beyond poker, he was remembered as a talented musician who "dared to dream and create with a unique genius in both his music and his work."

The teenage suspect, whose identity is protected due to his age, was among those arrested during the shootout. The investigation is ongoing as police search for two additional suspects who escaped during the incident.

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