Authorities in Pennsylvania are actively searching for two suspects involved in a violent home invasion in Philadelphia that left a mother critically wounded, and her son dead, officials said.
The incident occurred in Lower Merion Township, an upscale suburb of Philadelphia, in the early hours of Sunday morning, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
Around 2:20 a.m., two home invaders opened fire on 61-year-old Bernadette Gaudio and her 25-year-old son Andrew Gaudio, killing the latter. Despite being shot multiple times, the mother managed to call 911, District Attorney Kevin Steele said during a press conference.
“This is a terrible homicide,” he told reporters.
Steele said he believed Andrew fought back against the invaders, but the young man’s efforts to protect his mom were countered mercilessly.
“There’s multiple shots that are fired, including one to the head of the victim,” Steele said. “Which, to me, is execution style.”
Bernadette was brought to a hospital but remains in critical condition, Steele said, adding that “she appears to be moving in the right direction, so we’re hopeful that she will survive.”
According to the district attorney, the home invaders entered the Gaudio residence through the basement.
Steele said police arrived quickly on the scene, in time to see a suspect driving off in a white Hyundai Azera. The car and suspect were caught on police cars’ dashcams, which allowed officers to identify 42-year-old Kelvin Roberts, of Philadelphia, as the primary suspect in the attack.
Police matched the Hyundai, which was sold through a deceased person to Robert’s girlfriend, to a residence on Sansom Street in Philadelphia. At the residence, a juvenile was able to identify Roberts through a screenshot from one of the police cars’ dashcams.
At least one accomplice, still not identified, drove off with Bernadette’s car, a green Jeep Cherokee, Steele said.
Police later found Bernadette’s Jeep parked nearby, also on Sansom Street.
Steele said investigators found a jewelry box at Roberts’ home during a search, which Bernadette was able to identify as hers.
“So they were able to steal that from the home, and that equates to felony murder,” Steele said.
“I cannot tell you whether or not this was random or targeted,” Steele said, although he was able to confirm that the suspect was already a wanted man.
“He’s wanted on a theft by receiving stolen property charge out of North Wales. He’s wanted for a burglary out of Philadelphia,” Steele said.
“These guys have guns. So, we’re concerned, and we’re concerned for everybody’s safety,” Steele said, urging people to stay safe and contact authorities immediately if they see Roberts.
The DA’s office put out a $5,000 reward for any information leading to the apprehension of Kevin Roberts.
Roberts is described as a black male with black and gray hair, 6 feet tall, weighing 260 pounds.