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Homeless man accused of killing 3 relatives in Pa. standoff will face death penalty — but governor won’t allow executions

By
David Propper
Published April 3, 2024, 7:47 p.m. ET

The Pennsylvania district attorney prosecuting the homeless man accused of killing three relatives last month announced she would seek the death penalty against the suspect who said he could only “pray to God” following his first court appearance Wednesday.

Andre Gordon Jr. is facing murder charges in the March 16 fatal shootings of his stepmother, teen sister and mother of his kids during a shocking crime spree that was carried out across two states.

“I am putting this defendant on notice,” District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said in court Wednesday, according to the Bucks County Courier.

Schorn explained she made the quick declaration because of the “multiple killing and grave risk to others.”

Andre Gordon Jr., center, walks into district court in Falls Township on Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Andre Gordon Jr. is facing murder charges in the March 16 fatal shootings of his stepmother, teen sister and mother of his kids during a shocking crime spree that was carried out across two states. Daniella Heminghaus | Bucks County Courier Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

“We had an opportunity to speak to the family and get their position,” she told reporters outside.

“Time will tell ultimately how this case unfolds. But we had to certify before formal arraignment.”

The state has not killed an inmate convicted of murder since 1999.

While Schorn is requesting the death penalty, Gov. Josh Shapiro has said he would not allow executions in the state while he’s in office.

Gordon, 26, allegedly carjacked a vehicle in Trenton, New Jersey and then drove across the Pennsylvania border where he shot and killed his stepmother, Karen Gordon, 52, and 13-year-old sister Kera Gordon in a Levittown home, police said.

A police officer removes crime scene tape after a shooting was reported in Levittown, Pa., Saturday, March 16, 2024.
A police officer removes crime scene tape from the standoff. AP

He then went to a different home in the same town where cops said he killed Taylor Daniel, the 25-year-old mother of his two children, and also attacked the children’s grandmother with a rifle, leaving her injured.

The two kids were present during the shooting, police have said.

He then carjacked another vehicle and hightailed it back to New Jersey before being captured by police.

He waived extradition back to Pennsylvania earlier on Wednesday.

In his first court appearance, Gordon, who didn’t have an attorney with him, appeared confused in front of Judge John Galloway.

When Galloway asked if he understood it was a preliminary hearing to read the charges, Gordon replied, “Not really.”

He then said “Yes, sir” when the judge repeated himself.

The defendant was remanded.

When reporters asked him outside if he had anything to say, he softly muttered, “Pray, pray to God.”

A motive for the fatal attacks is unknown.  

With Post wires