Toronto online poker player Matthew Bergart, 30, was shot and killed on April 25, 2024.
One of the suspects arrested following a Toronto shootout where nearly 100 shots were fired has been accused of the murder of an online poker star found dead earlier this year.
Shots rang out in the area of Queen Street West and Sudbury Street at a recording studio in Toronto on Monday night around 11:30 p.m. while the Toronto Police Service says plain-clothes officers were working an investigation.
Police say three suspects armed with handguns pulled up in a stolen vehicle, got out and started shooting at the studio located at 1196 Queen Street West. That’s when people inside the studio returned fire.
The three original shooters took cover behind an unmarked police vehicle with two officers inside that was “struck by bullets several times,” police say.
Additional officers arrived on the scene and one of the suspects was arrested while others fled on foot. Additional occupants of the recording studio were also arrested and police now say 16 firearms including two assault-style rifles and multiple handguns were seized.
More than 20 suspects have been arrested and eight people have been charged, including a 16-year-old youth from Brampton who police allege murdered Toronto man Matthew Bergart earlier this year.
Bergart was found shot in home in the Long Branch Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard West area of Etobicoke on April 25.
A high-stakes online poker player, Bergart “was a skilled poker pro who mostly played online,” according to PokerNews.com. The outlet reports his nickname was the “Mysterious Canadian” and that he came in 825th in the 2019 World Series of Poker Main Event winning $18,535.
Police say three suspects wearing ski masks entered the home and shot the 30-year-old who was rushed to hospital where he died of his injuries.
But police have said the poker player wasn’t the intended victim of the heist as Bergart was visiting a friend who was the target.
Police say a 16-year-old from Brampton who was arrested in connection to Monday’s shootout has been charged with the second-degree murder of Bergart.
The youth cannot be named due to a provision of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Police say the teen has also been charged with several offences related to Monday’s shooting including unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order, and three counts of possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon or prohibited device knowing no authority.
Investigators say close to 100 rounds were fired in the shootout that’s led to calls for “effective bail reform” by the Toronto Police Association, the Ontario Provincial Police Association, and the Police Association of Ontario.
Investigations into both the shooting and the murder are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Toronto Police Service at 416-808-2500.
Anonymous tips may also be provided to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca. When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous, never have to testify, and could receive a $2,000 reward.