A man took hostages in the city of Trenton, New Jersey, in the United States, after killing three people in the municipality of Falls Township, Pennsylvania, this Saturday morning (16), according to local authorities.
New Jersey law enforcement authorities say people taken hostage inside a Trenton residence where alleged Pennsylvania murder suspect Andre Gordon took shelter are safe.
“The suspect is believed to be at a home on Phillips Avenue in Trenton,” said Trenton Police Detective Lt. Lisette Rios.
“Residents were successfully evacuated from the scene without injury. At this time, FBI resources are on standby, while the ATF, NJSP, Mercer County Rapid Response Team and Mercer County Homicide Task Force are also on scene with the Trenton Police Department.” , he completed.
“We are investigating a wave of murders that occurred in the county this morning,” Jeff Dence, chairman of the city’s board of supervisors, told CNN .
“It’s something domestic. Three people were killed in two different residences,” she added.
Police identified the suspect as 26-year-old Andre Gordon.
Falls Township police said officers were called just before 9 a.m. to investigate an alleged shooting on Viewpoint Lane in Levittown.
Authorities say Gordon, who was driving a stolen vehicle, shot and killed two people who lived at the residence.
After the shooting, Gordon went to Edgewood Lane, where he shot and killed another individual.
After the shooting, police say Gordon hijacked a car leaving the driver at gunpoint in the parking lot on Bristol Pike in Morrisville. The driver was not injured, police said.
Falls Township police said they believe Gordon knew all of the victims except the driver. “He is believed to be currently homeless and has ties to the Trenton, New Jersey area,” they added in a statement.
Dence described the suspect as armed and dangerous. “We are investigating with the help of the District Attorney’s Office and the FBI.”
Police say Gordon is approximately 6 feet tall, thin 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,” the police statement added.
A CNN contacted the FBI for information but has not yet received a response.
The Honda CRV that Gordon hijacked was found in Trenton, New Jersey, at about 11:38 a.m., Falls Township Police said.
Now that the suspect is in Trenton, Falls Township will lift its stay-at-home order, Dence said.
“TPD is currently investigating a carjacking that may be related to the incident in Falls Township. We are working closely with the FBI, New Jersey State Police and Falls Township,” Trenton Police Detective Lt. Lisette Rios said in a statement.
The Middletown Township Police Department said in a Facebook post that it is aware of the shooting and asks residents to take precautions. Middletown Township is located approximately 8 miles from Falls Township.
“It does not appear that the shooter entered our municipal limits,” the police department said in its post.
“Do NOT travel to Falls Township until further notice. If you live in areas that border the Falls, you should shelter in place until further notice. We order the mall and Sesame Place to CLOSE until further notice,” the Middletown Township Police Department said.
Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, who represents Bucks County, said in an X post (formerly Twitter) that there was a carjacking and two shootings in Falls Township.
“I am in contact with authorities as they pursue the suspect,” Fitzpatrick said.
Pennsylvania State Police say they are assisting with the investigation.
Gov. Josh Shapiro said in an X post that he was “informed of the developing incident” and urged people in the area to “shelter in place and listen to guidance from authorities.”
Falls Township is approximately 28 miles northeast of Philadelphia. The city is near the border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Source: CNN Brasil
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