Man Arrested in New Jersey After Killing Three People in Philadelphia-Area Homes
Over the weekend, a man committed a tragic crime by taking the lives of three individuals in their homes near Philadelphia. The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Andre Gordon Jr., was later apprehended in Trenton, New Jersey, following a significant police response and a lengthy standoff.
Authorities in Trenton announced that the suspect was located near a residence where he had barricaded himself and was subsequently taken into custody. It was revealed that the suspect managed to escape the police perimeter around the home before it was completely secured.
No weapons were found on the suspect at the time of arrest, and fortunately, no one else was harmed during the incident.
The tragic events unfolded in Falls Township, eastern Pennsylvania, where Gordon allegedly carried out shootings at two different locations, resulting in the deaths of his stepmother, teenage sister, and the mother of his children. The motive behind these senseless acts remains unclear at this moment.
Despite Gordon having a few minor run-ins with the law in the past, officials stated that there was no indication of his propensity for such violence. Falls Township Police Chief Nelson Whitney expressed this sentiment during a press conference.
Authorities disclosed that Gordon was believed to be homeless, and it is currently unknown whether he has legal representation or anyone to speak on his behalf.
The chaos caused by these events led to the cancellation of a St. Patrick’s Day parade and the closure of a Sesame Street-themed amusement park. Additionally, a shelter-in-place order was issued for select areas in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, for a number of hours.
Gordon’s journey from the site of the initial shootings to Trenton involved fleeing in a stolen vehicle and later carjacking another car in a store parking lot. Eventually, he found himself at the residence in Trenton, where law enforcement officers surrounded the property, urging Gordon to surrender.
Neighbors gathered near the scene to observe the unfolding events, while the residents of the home were safely evacuated without any injuries, as confirmed by the Trenton Police Department.
According to reports, Gordon first targeted a home in Levittown, where he tragically ended the lives of his stepmother and teenage sister before proceeding to another residence in the same area. There, he fatally shot the mother of his children and physically assaulted her mother, who fortunately survived the attack.
Witnesses in the neighborhood, like Shaun Murphy, were taken aback by the sudden turn of events that disrupted their plans for the day, prompting concern and confusion.