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Update: 3 killed in Falls shootings Saturday; suspect arrested in Trenton

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Authorities say the man who shot to death three members of his family in Falls Township Saturday morning, carjacked a  motorist and fled Bucks County in a stolen Honda CRV was taken into custody at about 5 p.m. in Trenton.

Andre Gordon Jr., 26, was arrested hours after police reportedly tracked him to a home on Phillips Street in the City of Trenton and said they believed he was inside with hostages. Details about the arrest were not available Saturday evening, but the Bucks County District Attorney's Office acknowledged shortly before 6 p.m. that the suspect had been captured and will be charged.

Gordon, who, according to the Bucks County District Attorney's Office, is homeless, reportedly forced his way into a home on the first block of Viewpoint Lane, Falls Township. shortly before 9 a.m. Saturday. Once inside, authorities said, he shot and killed his 52-year-old stepmother Karen Gordon and his 13-year-old sister Kera Gordon.

A Saturday afternoon email from Pennsbury School District suggested that Kera Gordon was a student.

 "It is with great sorrow that I inform you of the tragic loss of an 8th-grade student from Boehm Middle School that occurred in connection with the events of today," read the letter from district Superintendent Thomas A. Smith. "We extend our deepest condolences to the family for their loss."

Three other residents of the home, including a juvenile, reportedly hid while Gordon went through the house and were uninjured.

Just after 9 a.m., Gordon reportedly broke into a second home, this one on Edgewood Lane in Falls and shot to death Taylor Daniel,  who'd had two children with Gordon. Another occupant of that home, a woman, was bludgeoned by Gordon with his assault-style weapon. She was taken to Jefferson Hospital, Torresdale Campus, for treatment of her injuries.

Ten minutes later Gordon reportedly carjacked at gunpoint a 44-year-old man from Morrisville in the parking lot of the Dollar General on Bristol Pike and drove to Trenton, where police found the unoccupied Honda CRV on Miller Street shortly after 11:30 a.m.

About 45 minutes after that, investigation determined that Gordon was inside the Phillips Street home where he  took hostages and initiated a standoff with police that continued through Saturday afternoon.

The Bucks County District Attorney's Office directed questions regarding the what happened in New Jersey to the Trenton City Police Department.

 Pennsbury is offering counselors for students, staff or families in need from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. They'll also be on hand when students return on Monday.

"We appreciate your continued support and understanding, particularly during these difficult times," the letter stated. "In times of grief, our community can find strength in unity. "

The shootings resulted in the issuance of several shelter-in-place warnings in Lower Bucks County municipalities, prompted the cancelation of the Bucks County St. Patrick's Day Parade and shut down various Falls and Middletown Township businesses, Sesame Place and Oxford Valley Mall Saturday morning. The shelter-in-place warnings were lifted early Saturday afternoon.


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