In Trenton, New Jersey, authorities are currently investigating following the apprehension of a 26-year-old man. This individual is accused of a tragic incident where he allegedly took the lives of three people. Among the victims was his 13-year-old sister. The crimes occurred across two separate residences in Pennsylvania. After these heinous acts, the suspect is said to have carjacked a vehicle, making his escape to New Jersey, as reported by the police.
The suspect, identified as Andre Gordon, is believed to have carried out these killings in Falls Township on a Saturday morning. Following these events, he crossed into another state where he was ultimately detained. Authorities have stated that he used an AR-15 style assault rifle to commit these acts. This information was shared by Nelson Whitney, the Chief of Police in Falls Township.
Trenton’s Police Director, Steve Wilson, confirmed on Saturday that Gordon is now in custody. He assured the public that no additional individuals were harmed during these events.
The series of crimes led to temporary shelter-in-place orders for the residents of Falls Township. This was while the search for the suspect was ongoing. The search concluded miles away in Trenton, New Jersey. Here, Gordon now faces charges related to carjacking and illegal possession of a firearm.
Wilson detailed that Gordon was apprehended without any issues. Initially, it was believed that he had barricaded himself within a residence. This prompted law enforcement to secure the surrounding area.
Despite setting up a perimeter, Gordon managed to leave the location undetected. However, law enforcement was under the impression he was still inside, according to Wilson.
Mayor Reed Gusciora of Trenton later announced that Gordon was arrested a short distance from the suspected barricade location. At the time of his arrest, Gordon was unarmed and cooperated with the police. The mayor expressed his gratitude for the peaceful resolution of the situation.
Mercer County’s Prosecutor, Angelo Onofri, has indicated plans to extradite Gordon back to Pennsylvania. There, he will face charges for the murders. Meanwhile, in New Jersey, Gordon faces seven charges. These include first-degree carjacking and charges related to the illegal possession and use of a weapon, as stated in a news release from the office of state Attorney General Matthew Platkin.
Platkin remarked on the alarming nature of the violent spree. He highlighted the broader issue of illegal firearms and assault rifles enabling individuals to cause widespread harm and tragedy.
As of now, it is unclear if Gordon has obtained legal representation.
Here is a summary of the known details regarding the killings and the ongoing investigation:
The crime spree began just before 9 a.m., with the Falls Township Police responding to a reported shooting in Levittown, Pennsylvania. Gordon, driving a stolen vehicle from Trenton, is accused of fatally shooting his stepmother, Karen Gordon, and his sister, Kera Gordon. During this attack, three other family members, including a minor, managed to hide and avoid harm.
Shortly after, Gordon proceeded to another home on Edgewood Lane. There, he fatally shot Taylor Daniel, the mother of two of his children. Other individuals were present in the home during this attack, including children and Daniel’s mother, who was injured by Gordon.
Following these shootings, Gordon is said to have carjacked a driver at gunpoint in Morrisville. The carjacked vehicle was later found abandoned in Trenton.
The investigation into these tragic events continues, with authorities searching the home and the carjacked vehicle for the weapon used in the shootings. The FBI office in Philadelphia has stated they are closely monitoring the situation and working with local partners.
The Pennsylvania State Police are also assisting with the investigation. Governor Josh Shapiro has been briefed on the situation and has shared updates on social media.
In the aftermath, the community in Trenton has shown resilience and cooperation with law enforcement, leading to a peaceful resolution. Mayor Gusciora praised the community’s spirit and the efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents affected by the use of tear gas during the police operation.
This report includes contributions from CNN’s Jeff Winter, Sarah Dewberry, Michelle Watson, Braden Walker, Adrienne Vogt, Matt Meyer, and Danny Freeman.