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Suspect in custody after deadly Pennsylvania shootings, police say
By Adrienne Vogt and Matt Meyer, CNN
Updated 7:25 p.m. ET, March 16, 2024
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A man is suspected of killing 3 people in Pennsylvania and fleeing across state lines. Here's what we know
A man suspected of killing three family members in Falls Township, Pennsylvania, Saturday morning has finally been taken into custody after fleeing to Trenton, New Jersey, according to local authorities.
Officials initially said the suspect was holed up inside a Trenton home with hostages after the shootings. They evacuated the house's residents through an upstairs window, believing him to still be inside. After hours surrounding the house and calling out to the suspect, however, officers say they spotted him walking down a street nearby and took him into custody.
The city's police director said the suspect had managed to leave the house at some point before they had established a perimeter, and that he was arrested without further incident.
Here's what we know about the events that left crime scenes in two states today:
- Police say the suspect is 26-year-old Andre Gordon: Gordon is believed to be currently homeless, but has "family ties" to the house where he holed up in Trenton, authorities said in a news conference. Police in Falls Township said they had "minimal contact" with Gordon in the past.
- The victims were family members: Gordon is suspected of fatally shooting his 52-year-old stepmother Karen Gordon and his 13-year-old sister Kera Gordon in their home, Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said. Police say he then drove to another home in the community, where he fatally shot 25-year-old Taylor Daniel, with whom he has two children.
- Others were present during the attacks: At the first residence, police say three people successfully hid from the shooter as he walked around the house looking for them. Four other people were inside the second residence, including Daniel's mother, who police say Gordon hit with his gun and hospitalized.
- Crime spree: Police say Gordon was driving a stolen vehicle when he arrived at the two homes in Pennsylvania where he is suspected of carrying out the shootings. Then he allegedly carjacked another driver at gunpoint before heading across state lines to New Jersey. Falls Township Police Chief Nelson Whitney said the shootings were carried out with an "AR-15 style assault rifle," but did not have information about whether the weapon was owned legally.
Trenton mayor says police are now looking for possible weapon or more information on suspect
Trenton, New Jersey, Mayor Reed Gusciora provided more details after a suspect who police say shot and killed three people in a nearby Pennsylvania township was taken into custody.
Authorities initially believed suspect Andre Gordon was barricaded inside a Trenton home, but police located him walking along a street in the city.
"The people who were inside the house, they went upstairs. They still felt that he was still in the house. So when they got out of the house on the upstairs window, they told police that he was still downstairs. We couldn't take any chances, and it was still a great resolution by the area law enforcement," he said in an interview with CNN's Polo Sandoval at the scene.
"They found him two blocks away walking down the street," the mayor said.
"He fit the description and they approached him; he had no weapon on him, and he cooperated and gave his identity to police themselves," he continued.
Officers executed a search warrant at the home and are looking for a weapon or any other information, Gusciora said.
The mayor said neighbors are relieved, and the city is working with residents who lived in surrounding duplexes to make sure they have a place to stay after police used tear gas in the area.
"Trentonians stick together. It's one big family here.There's a lot of camaraderie and they cooperated fully with the police, and we're just really grateful for a safe and peaceful outcome," he said.
Police say shootings suspect was apprehended walking on street in Trenton, not inside home
From CNN's Michelle Watson and Braden Walker
Authorities in Trenton, New Jersey, who were looking to apprehend Pennsylvania shootings suspect Andre Gordon initially believed he was barricaded inside a home, prompting a perimeter of the area to be set up, according to Trenton Police Director Steve Wilson.
"However, apparently, before the perimeter was completed, the suspect was able to get out of the location unseen. However, our information was that he was still in there," Wilson said.
"The suspect was actually walking on New York Avenue," Wilson said. "He was stopped and identified and taken into custody."
Gordon was taken into custody without incident, Wilson said.
Pennsylvania shootings suspect is in custody, police say
From CNN's Michelle Watson and Braden Walker
Andre Gordon, the man accused of killing three people in Falls Township, Pennsylvania, Saturday morning is in custody, according to police.
"He's in custody. No one else was injured," Trenton, New Jersey, Police Director Steve Wilson said.
Police say suspect is only person currently believed to be inside home where hostages were evacuated
From CNN’s Sarah Dewberry
Law enforcement officials say the man suspected of killing three people in Falls Township, Pennsylvania, is now believed to be the only person inside a home they've surrounded in Trenton, New Jersey.
“The only person believed to be in the residence is the suspect,” Trenton Police Detective Lt. Lisette Rios told CNN.
Rios earlier said the people inside the residence where suspect Andre Gordon had barricaded himself are now safe.
Authorities are now at the home and asking the suspect via a megaphone to come out of the building with his hands up.
One of the shooting victims is mother of the suspect's 2 children, county district attorney says
From CNN’s Sarah Dewberry and Adrienne Vogt
Bucks County District Attorney Jen Schorn said one of the people shot and killed in the Pennsylvania murders is the mother of suspect Andre Gordon's two children.
After Gordon allegedly shot and killed his stepmother and sister, Schorn said he broke into a house in Levittown at about 9 a.m. ET and killed 25-year-old Taylor Daniel.
Four other people were inside the home, and Schorn said Gordon allegedly bludgeoned and injured a woman with an "assault rife." She has been transported to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital for her injuries.
At 9:13 a.m. ET, Gordon carjacked a 44-year-old man at gunpoint in the Dollar General parking lot in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, Schorn said. The driver of the vehicle did not suffer any injuries.
This post has been updated with additional information about the victims from law enforcement.
Officials say shootings suspect killed his stepmom and sister
From CNN’s Sarah Dewberry
Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said suspect Andre Gordon shot and killed his stepmother and sister in Levittown, Pennsylvania, in Falls Township on Saturday morning.
“Earlier in the morning, Andre Gordon broke into a residence on New Point Lane in Levittown … where he shot and killed his 52-year-old stepmother and 13-year-old sister, who lived at the residence,” Schorn said during a news conference.
The district attorney's office identified the stepmother as Karen Gordon, and the 13-year-old as Kera Gordon.
Schorn said there were three other people at the home at the time of the shooting, who hid as Gordon walked around the house looking for them.
The district attorney said the three people, one of whom was a minor, were able to avoid being shot while hiding.
This post has been updated with additional information about the victims from law enforcement.
Suspected Pennsylvania shooter was armed with "AR-15 style assault rifle," police chief says
The man suspected of killing at least three people in two shootings in Falls Township, Pennsylvania, Saturday morning was armed with an "AR-15 style assault rifle," according to Police Chief Nelson Whitney.
When asked by reporters whether the weapon was legally owned, authorities said they would "investigate every aspect of how he came into possession of these weapons," but did not provide further information.
Police said earlier Thursday that the shootings suspect, Andre Gordon, had an "assault rifle" and may possess other weapons.
