Individual Accused of Pennsylvania Family Murders Also Charged in Second State

LEVITTOWN,  — After allegedly perpetrating a series of violent acts spanning two states, a man now faces murder charges in Pennsylvania and carjacking along with weapons charges in New Jersey, authorities stated Sunday.

Andre Gordon Jr., 26, stands accused in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with counts including first- and second-degree murder, aggravated assault, and robbery, among others, as per court documents. Similarly, in New Jersey, Gordon is charged with first-degree carjacking and weapons offenses, announced New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin on Sunday.

Platkin condemned the violence, emphasizing, “The string of violent acts… is the latest in a horrific litany of illustrations of how illegal guns and assault rifles can empower one aggrieved and disturbed actor.” He pledged to seek justice for the victims and ensure accountability for Gordon’s actions.

No attorney for Gordon is listed in Pennsylvania court documents, and a provided contact number was not in service. New Jersey authorities stated they currently have no information regarding a defense attorney for Gordon in their jurisdiction.

According to authorities, Gordon allegedly carjacked a vehicle in Trenton around 8:40 a.m. Saturday before driving to Levittown in Falls Township, Pennsylvania, where he reportedly killed his stepmother and sister. He then proceeded to a second location in Levittown, where he allegedly killed the mother of his two children.

The victims were identified by Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn as the suspect’s 52-year-old stepmother, Karen Gordon; his 13-year-old sister, Kera Gordon; and 25-year-old Taylor Daniel, the mother of his children. Daniel’s mother was also allegedly assaulted by Gordon and required hospital treatment.

After the killings, Gordon purportedly carjacked a second vehicle in Morrisville and returned to Trenton. Despite a police presence and a belief that he was holed up in a residence, Gordon managed to evade capture until he was seen walking down a street unarmed, leading to his arrest around 5 p.m.

Officials in Pennsylvania stated they were still investigating a motive for the attacks. Falls Township Police Chief Nelson Whitney noted that while Gordon had previous minor run-ins with the law, there was nothing to suggest such extreme violence.

The chaos resulting from the incident led to the cancellation of a St. Patrick’s Day parade and the closure of a Sesame Street-themed amusement park, among other businesses, with some areas in Pennsylvania’s Bucks County placed under a shelter-in-place order for several hours.

Platkin remarked that the crimes “alarmed and terrorized communities in Bucks and Mercer counties.”

Gordon is currently detained at the Mercer County Correction Center, with Trenton Police Director Steve Wilson stating that he will be extradited to Pennsylvania “at some point.”