Child’s dire alert to police: ‘Daddy just shot mom and granddad,’ PA cops say

A man killed his girlfriend and her father in a shooting carried out in front of the couple’s young child, Pennsylvania authorities say.

Pennsylvania State Police troopers were dispatched to the Shenandoah home July 3 for a welfare check when they were met by a young boy, according to a news release.

“I need help. Daddy just shot mom and granddad,” the boy told police, according to the news outlet Coal Region Canary.

As troopers made sure the child was safe, they heard a single gunshot, state police said. Troopers went on to find three gunshot victims throughout the home.

Troopers discovered 63-year-old Thomas Peter Chernewski had been shot and killed. Kevin John Gordon, 40, also had a fatal gunshot wound, which troopers said was self-inflicted.

A third victim, 31-year-old Harley Dawn Reese, was also shot and died from her injuries two days later, state police said.

Gordon was Reese’s boyfriend, and they had a 6-year-old son who witnessed the shooting, WFMZ reported, citing state police.

An investigation revealed Gordon shot Reese and Chernewski, her father, according to WFMZ.

A motive for the shootings is unclear. State police said the incident is isolated, and there is no threat to the public.

According to an obituary, Reese was a “devoted and caring mother” who liked gaming.

Chernewski owned and operated a plumbing business and was an avid Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles fan, according to his obituary.

Shenandoah is about a 110-mile drive northwest from Philadelphia.

This story was originally published July 9, 2025 at 10:34 AM with the headline "Child’s dire alert to police: ‘Daddy just shot mom and granddad,’ PA cops say."