Authorities are still investigating what led to the altercation between Bergeron and another man
Craig Bergeron, a well-known poker professional from Michigan, has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including first-degree murder. Authorities allege that Bergeron, 35, fatally shot 37-year-old Tommy “Mike” Ireland with a rifle on Monday evening in Detroit. The shooting reportedly occurred around 8:40 PM on the city’s east side.
Police tracked the suspect using surveillance footage, which identified a white SUV leaving the scene. Ireland was pronounced dead at the location, and Bergeron was apprehended on Christmas Eve.
Alongside the murder charge, Bergeron faces two counts of felony firearm use and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He remains in custody at Wayne County Jail, with details of his prior felony convictions yet to be disclosed.
The incident did not end in Detroit. Authorities allege Bergeron was involved in another assault in nearby St. Clair Shores shortly after Ireland’s death. No charges have been filed for that case, and investigators are still trying to determine the connection between Bergeron and Ireland and what led to the fatal encounter. Bergeron’s residence is nearly 50 miles from where the crime occurred.
A respected poker figure during the early 2010s, Bergeron amassed over $1.3 million in live tournament winnings between 2008 and 2019. His career highlights include a fourth-place finish at the 2010 EPT Deauville Main Event, earning him nearly $313,000, and a WSOP Circuit ring win in 2011. However, he has not recorded any tournament cashes since 2019.
Bergeron’s arrest is the latest in a series of troubling incidents involving poker players in Michigan, including Susie Zhao’s 2020 murder and other violent cases. These events have cast a shadow over the poker community in the state, leaving many shocked by this newest development.
Editor at the Big Blind, is a rising star in gambling journalism with a decade of experience, focusing on clear and accessible communication for a diverse audience.
