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UPDATE: Three Killed In Levittown Shooting Rampage; Suspect In Custody - LevittownNow.com
Around 5 p.m. Saturday, Trenton police and federal authorities arrested Andre Gordon, 26, who has been accused of killing three members of his family.
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UPDATE: Three Killed In Levittown Shooting Rampage; Suspect In Custody
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
UPDATED: 6:11 p.m., Saturday:
Around 5 p.m. Saturday, Trenton police and federal authorities arrested Andre Gordon, 26, who has been accused of killing three members of his family.
Trenton Police Department Director Steve Wilson told LevittownNow.com the 26-year-old wanted man was nabbed a few blocks from the home on Phillips Avenue that was surrounded by dozens of local, county, state, and federal law enforcement officials.
Trenton Police Department Director Steve Wilson speaking on the arrest.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Several Bucks County authorities and a federal law enforcement official additionally confirmed Gordon was in custody. One source said the young man confirmed his identity once in custody.
Gordon was being taken to a Trenton police facility and then the Mercer County jail. Next, Bucks County officials will begin the extradition process.
Police responding to the scene where the arrest happened.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Wilson said he believed that Gordon had fled the area before a secure perimeter was set up earlier in the day.
“We still had to act as if he’s in that house. If there’s a suspect who is possibly armed, you have to do it methodically,” he said.
Witnesses to the arrest said Gordon attempted to flee, but he quickly surrendered by dropping to the ground and gun-carrying lawmen surrounded him near Capital Health Regional Medical Center.
Andre Gordon.
Police will be searching for weapons possibly used or linked to Gordon, Wilson said, adding the investigation was still active.
Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora said the hours-long police operation outside the Phillips Avenue home led to officers having to quickly remove several neighbors. He said all of those people were safe.
UPDATED: 12:50 p.m., Saturday:
The suspect accused of fatally shooting three family members Saturday morning remained barricaded in a Trenton rowhome that was surrounded by tactical officers as of 3 p.m.
The suspect – identified as 26-year-old Andre Gordon – previously resided in the Levittown section of Falls Township and in Trenton. Currently homeless, Gordon is considered the primary suspect in the killings, according to authorities.
Credit: Natalie Grimmer/LevittownNow.com
The incident unfolded as attendees were gathering to prepare for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade along New Falls Road.
At approximately 8:52 a.m., Falls Township police were dispatched to the intersection of Viewpoint and Vine lanes in Levittown following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers quickly identified Gordon as the shooter.
The scene on Viewpoint Lane.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn named the victims on Viewpoint Lane as Gordon’s stepmother, 52-year-old Karen Gordon, and his 13-year-old sister, Kera Gordon. Three other family members, including a second teenager, managed to hide while Gordon reportedly searched the home with his rifle.
Authorities said Gordon used a vehicle carjacked from Trenton to get to Bucks County.
Bucks County Detectives along Edgewood Road.
Credit: Natalie Grimmer/LevittownNow.com
Gordon fled from Viewpoint Lane in the stolen vehicle to Edgewood Lane in Levittown. At approximately 9:01 a.m., he forced entry to the home and killed 25-year-old Taylor Daniel, the mother of his two children. After, he allegedly assaulted Daniel’ mother with the butt of his AR-15-style rifle before fleeing the scene, but he didn’t hurt the three other people in the residence, authorities said.
Credit: Natalie Grimmer/LevittownNow.com
Gordon is said to have carjacked the 44-year-old driver of a Honda CRV at gunpoint in the parking lot of a Dollar General store on Old Bristol Pike in the Morrisville section of Falls Township around 9:13 a.m. The victim of the carjacking was unharmed, police said.
The stolen vehicle was later found on the 100 block of Miller Street in Trenton, which sparked a manhunt.
Police said they had confirmation that Gordon was holed up in a nearby home on Phillips Avenue, resulting in the standoff.
Multiple law enforcement agencies, including local, county, state, and federal, responded to the standoff scene. An armored vehicle was deployed.
A tactical officer working to rescue a person from a home next door to where the shooter was believed to be held up.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Schorn said Gordon was barricaded with hostages, but authorities withheld further details on the standoff.
Tactical units were seen setting up sniper positions and evacuating neighboring residences.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
“Andre, if you can hear me, we want you to come out the front door,” police barked through a loud speaker.
Although there had been minor prior interactions with Gordon in Bucks County, there was no indication he would embark on such a violent rampage, Falls Township police Chief Nelson Whitney said.
Chief Nelson Whitney briefing reporters.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Gordon had the AR-15-style gun, but authorities didn’t comment on whether he may have had more.
An area-wide shelter-in-place order was issued, but it had been lifted by midday.
Due to the ongoing manhunt, the Bucks County St. Patrick’s Day Parade was cancelled and spectators were moved away from the parade route.
District Attorney Jennifer Schorn speaking to reporters.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Schorn remarked on the substantial law enforcement resources mobilized in response to the shooting.
Officers were spotted from across Bucks County, the Pennsylvania State Police, and federal special agents from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF.) New Jersey and Pennsylvania state police helicopters were used during the manhunt.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Photojournalist Natalie Grimmer contributed to this report.
UPDATED: 12:50 p.m.:
Law enforcement sources said the suspect is believed to be barricaded in a home on Phillips Avenue in Trenton. Tactical teams are on the scene.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
UPDATED: 11:38 a.m.: News release from Falls Township police:
On Saturday, March 16, 2024, at approximately 8:52 AM, Falls Township Police were dispatched to the unit block of Viewpoint Lane, Levittown, to investigate the report of a shooting. The preliminary investigation determined that 26 year-old Andre Gordon, driving a stolen vehicle, shot and killed two individuals who live at that residence. Following the shooting, at approximately 9:01 AM, Gordon responded to the unit block of Edgewood Lane, Levittown, where he shot and killed another individual before fleeing the scene. At approximately 9:13 AM, Gordon committed a carjacking at gunpoint in the parking lot of the Dollar General, Bristol Pike, Morrisville, the operator of the vehicle did not suffer any injuries as a result. It is believed that Gordon knew all of the victims (except the victim of the carjacking). Gordon is believed to be currently homeless and has ties to the Trenton, New Jersey, area. The vehicle Gordon was last observed driving is a 2016 dark gray Honda CRV, with Pennsylvania registration KFR 1534, and a ‘Namaste’ sticker in white lettering on the right side of the rear bumper. (both photographs are of the vehicle, provided by the victim). Andre Gordon is approximately 6’1″, with a thin build, and was last observed wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt. He is believed to be in possession of an assault rifle which he used to commit these crimes. It is believed that Gordon may be in possession of additional weapons. Gordon is extremely dangerous and anyone who sees him or the vehicle is asked to contact 911 immediately. Anyone with information regarding Gordon is asked to contact 911 or (215) 328-8501.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
UPDATED: 10:20 a.m., Saturday:
Law enforcement sources have confirmed to LevittownNow.com that three people have been killed.
There are shooting scenes in the area of Viewpoint Lane and Vine Lane, as well as on Edgewood Lane, both in Falls Township’s Levittown section.
The suspect fled the scene and may have carjacked a vehicle along Old Route 13 near Tyburn Road.
As of 10:15 a.m., police continued to search for the shooter.
A New Jersey State Police helicopter was assisting Falls Township police.
Police departments from around Bucks County responded to assist.
Original Story:
Several people have been shot and there are multiple crime scenes in Falls Township.
The shooting happened Saturday mid-morning.
Police issued a shelter in place for Falls Township and were seeking the shooter, an official said at 9:50 a.m.
The Bucks County St. Patrick’s Day Parade was cancelled. The shooting was not tied to the parade.
A police official said the situation was quickly evolving.
Numerous law enforcement agencies were assisting.