In Falls Township, Pennsylvania, a tragic event unfolded on a Saturday morning, resulting in at least three lives lost due to two separate shootings. The authorities have since apprehended the suspect after a tense standoff in a New Jersey home, where he initially took hostages.
The incident began just before 9 a.m. on Viewpoint Lane. Andre Gordon, 26, forcefully entered a residence and fatally shot three family members. Among the victims were his 52-year-old stepmother, Karen Gordon, and his 13-year-old sister, Kera Gordon. This was confirmed by Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn in a statement to NBC News. At the time of the attack, several other individuals, including a minor, were present in the home, seeking refuge. The violence continued as the suspect moved to a home on Edgewood Lane in Levittown, where he killed a 25-year-old woman. She and the suspect shared two children.
Following these heinous acts, the gunman carjacked a vehicle from a man outside a Dollar General store on Bristol Pike in Morrisville. He then fled to New Jersey. Law enforcement located him at 11:38 a.m., where he barricaded himself in a Trenton home with hostages. New Jersey police officials reported to CNN that the hostages were later evacuated safely. SWAT teams were deployed and remained on the scene into the afternoon.
Trenton Police Detective Lt. Lisette Rios provided an update, stating, “The suspect is believed to be in a house on Phillips Ave in Trenton. The residents have been successfully evacuated with no injuries. Currently, FBI resources are on standby, and ATF, NJSP, Mercer County Rapid Response Team, and Mercer County Homicide Task Force are also present alongside the Trenton Police Department.”
Middletown Township police have identified the suspected gunman as possibly homeless, with ties to both Bucks County and Trenton. However, he is primarily associated with Trenton.
Falls Township Police Chief Nelson Whitney revealed that the suspect wielded an “AR-15 style assault rifle” during the shootings and might possess additional weapons. This information was shared with CNN.
This story is still unfolding and further updates are expected.