In a shocking crime spree that spanned across two states, a homeless man has been charged with murder and carjacking after a violent rampage in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Andre Gordon Jr., 26, is accused of fatally shooting three relatives and carjacking two vehicles before being apprehended by law enforcement authorities.

The tragic incident began when Gordon allegedly stole a car in Trenton, New Jersey, and made his way to Falls Township, Pennsylvania. Armed with an AR-15 type assault rifle, he broke into a home and tragically killed two of his relatives, his stepmother Karen Gordon, 52, and sister Kera Gordon, 13. Fortunately, three other family members were able to evade Gordon's rampage by hiding.

Undeterred, Gordon then moved on to a second home in Levittown, Pennsylvania, where he targeted the mother of his two children, Taylor Daniel. He attacked her with his weapon, leaving her severely injured and her mother hospitalized. During this horrifying sequence of events, Gordon's children were reportedly present in the home.

After the violent acts, Gordon allegedly carjacked an unsuspecting individual in a Morrisville Dollar General parking lot before returning to his residence in Trenton. Law enforcement acted swiftly, evacuating others from the residence and initiating an hours-long standoff with a SWAT team to apprehend the suspect.

However, Gordon managed to slip away before the perimeter was sealed and was eventually arrested around 5 p.m. while walking down a street a few blocks away, unarmed. He is currently being held in the Mercer County Correction Center and will be extradited to Pennsylvania at a later date.

In Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Gordon has been charged with three counts of first- and second-degree murder, aggravated assault, robbery, and related crimes. Meanwhile, in New Jersey, he faces charges of first-degree carjacking and weapons offenses.

Authorities are still unsure of the motive behind the rampage, and it is not known if Gordon has retained legal representation. State Attorney General Matthew Platkin has emphasized the need to hold the defendant accountable for his "reprehensible actions" and pursuing justice for the victims.

The disturbing series of events caused significant disruptions, including the cancellation of the St. Patrick's Day parade and the closure of an amusement park and local businesses in Trenton. A shelter-in-place order was also in effect for several hours in Bucks County.

The community has been left alarmed and terrorized, as authorities continue their investigation into this horrific incident.