In Fallsington, authorities in Pennsylvania announced their intention to seek the death penalty for a man who allegedly killed his stepmother, sister, and the mother of his children, then fled to New Jersey in a stolen vehicle where he was apprehended.
Andre Gordon Jr. made his first court appearance in Pennsylvania since the alleged fatal shootings in the Levittown area of Falls Township on March 16, as well as two carjackings in suburban Philadelphia.
Gordon arrived at the district court near the shooting location wearing an orange jumpsuit and being restrained at the wrists and ankles.
When asked if he wanted to say anything, Gordon responded quietly with "Pray, pray to God."
During the brief preliminary arraignment, Judge John Galloway denied bail and instructed Gordon, who appeared without a lawyer, not to communicate with his minor children and other family members who are witnesses to the crimes he's accused of.
Galloway clarified to Gordon that this was a preliminary arraignment to inform him of the charges, which include three counts of first-degree murder.
"Not really," Gordon replied. The judge reiterated the explanation and asked if Gordon understood. "Yes, sir," he replied.
After the hearing, Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn told reporters that she decided to inform the court of her intention to seek the death penalty due to the "multiple killings and grave risk to others."
"We spoke to the family and took their position into account," she said. "We'll see how this case unfolds, but we had to certify before the formal arraignment."
Earlier on Wednesday, 26-year-old Gordon waived an extradition hearing in New Jersey and was handed over to officials in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, according to prosecutors and a spokesperson for the New Jersey court.
Authorities stated that Gordon stole a vehicle in Trenton, New Jersey, on March 16 before driving to Levittown in Falls Township, Pennsylvania.
There, he allegedly killed his stepmother and sister, according to the Bucks County district attorney. He then went to a second home in Levittown and killed the mother of his two children, and is also accused of injuring his children’s grandmother by hitting her with a rifle.
The deceased individuals included Gordon’s 52-year-old stepmother, Karen Gordon; his 13-year-old sister, Kera Gordon; and 25-year-old Taylor Daniel, the mother of his two children, according to the district attorney. Reports indicate Gordon’s children were present when he shot their mother.
Gordon then carjacked a second vehicle in Morrisville and returned to Trenton, authorities said. Police surrounded a home for hours thinking he was inside, but Gordon apparently slipped away before they established a cordon. He was apprehended, unarmed, as he was seen walking down a street a few blocks away.
The chaos led to the cancellation of a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and the closure of a Sesame Street-themed amusement park and several other businesses. Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for several hours.
Officials haven't revealed a possible reason for the attacks.
Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro has stated that he will not permit executions during his governorship, expressing a desire for the legislature to work on ending it. The most recent execution in the state occurred in 1999.
