Trenton Standoff Suspect Killed; Mother, Child Dead for Weeks, Officials Say

Sunday, 11:03 a.m.:

New Jersey authorities identified Gerald “Skip” Murphy, 38, as the man who held three children hostage during a 36-hour-long standoff in Trenton.

Murphy died at the hospital after suffering a gunshot wound and the hostages were transported to the hospital for evaluation, a state police official said. The 38-year-old known for walking his two dogs in the neighborhood was shot after police said he made a threatening move toward the children.

Murphy, a registered sex offender in Pennsylvania, is believed to have killed his girlfriend, 42-year-old Carmenlita Stevens, and her 13-year-old son, authorities said in press conference that was streamed live on the internet.

Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph L. Bocchini told reporters the two were dead for about two weeks and the other children in the house were likely restrained.

The Times of Trenton reports that an explosion on the second floor of the Grand Street home happened at around 4 a.m. The paper reports that medicals crews were spotted leaving the scene a short time later and the situation was deemed under control.

Original story:

The 36-hour siege in Trenton has ended with the three children being rescued by police, multiple media reports have confirmed.

The Trentonian is reporting that the name of the suspect has not been released by police and authorities on scene are keeping details of the rescue close to their vests, even holding back information with regards whether the suspect is alive or dead.

“The Trenton hostage situation is resolved, the three children are safe, and the area is secure,” state police Sgt. Adam Grossman told The Associated Press.

6ABC Action News is reporting that a press conference will he held later this morning.

On Saturday, neighbors of the suspect, know as Skip, said the woman found decomposing in the row home was his girlfriend.

“He’s been dating that girl(the woman found dead) for a few months, and I never knew of any trouble,” Sonia Reyes said.

Aside from the body of his girlfriend, authorities discovered the body of a child. Police said hostages, suspected to be children by neighbors, were held by the suspect.

Authorities responded to the house in the 200 block of Grand Street Friday just before 3 p.m. for a welfare check. The standoff began after officers saw the suspect with a firearm.

First Assistant Prosecutor of Mercer County Angelo J. Onofri told reporters gathered at the scene Saturday afternoon that authorities were working toward a “peaceful resolution.”

Stay with LevittownNow.com for updates on this developing story.

 Related:

• Trenton Hostage Standoff Enters Second Day; Officials Urge ‘Peaceful Resolution
• Reports: Woman, Child Dead in Trenton Hostage Standoff