Poker Player Charged with Murder Posted Bizarre Videos Before Killing

Disturbing videos posted to Facebook by Michigan poker player Craig Michael Bergeron shortly before he allegedly shot an apparent stranger dead suggest the accused was suffering from a mental illness and was spiraling out of control.

Bergeron, 35, from Saline, Mich., was arrested on Christmas Eve and charged with first-degree murder, two counts of felony firearm, and felon in possession of a firearm in relation to the death of Tommy Ireland, 37, on Detroit’s east side December 23.

Bergeron, who first gained attention as an online player in the late 2000s under the screenname hu4rollz, fled the scene of the crime in a white SUV, according to police. He subsequently assaulted another victim nearby, police said.

Ireland’s family, who held a candlelit vigil for him on Thursday night, said they did not believe the killer was known to his victim and could not understand why anyone would want to kill him. They described Ireland as “a gentle giant” who “loved everyone.”

In a video posted to Facebook just hours before the alleged murder, Bergeron is seen driving around Detroit by himself and appears paranoid about police as he turns the camera towards a squad car driving in the adjacent lane.

“Look! They escort me out of Warren,” he screams, referring to the Detroit suburb. “They escort me out of Warren!”