News

Police: Three People Killed in Shooting Incident in Falls Township, Pennsylvania

Three lives were tragically cut short on Saturday morning in Falls Township, Pennsylvania, as a gunman went on a shooting spree at two separate residences. The gunman, identified as Andre Gordon, 26, fled the scene and was eventually tracked down to Trenton, New Jersey, where he surrendered to authorities. This harrowing chain of events unfolded around 9 a.m., prompting a dramatic two-state manhunt that kept law enforcement officials on high alert.

SWAT teams surrounded a house in Trenton where Mr. Gordon was believed to be hiding, while negotiators worked to bring about his peaceful surrender. Eventually, Mr. Gordon left the house and was taken into custody on a nearby street. The quick and effective response of law enforcement officers prevented any further harm to residents in the area.

The first shooting took place in Levittown, where Mr. Gordon killed his 52-year-old stepmother, Karen Gordon, and his 13-year-old sister, Kera Gordon. Three other individuals, including a 14-year-old, managed to hide and escape harm as Mr. Gordon searched for them. He then proceeded to a second nearby residence, where he fatally shot Taylor Daniel, a 25-year-old woman and the mother of his two children. Tragically, he also attacked Ms. Daniel’s mother with an assault rifle, but she survived and is expected to recover.

During his escape, Mr. Gordon stole a car from a bystander at a Dollar General parking lot, but fortunately, the victim was unharmed. The authorities issued warnings about Mr. Gordon being armed and dangerous, prompting a shelter-in-place directive in Falls Township and the closure of Sesame Place, a nearby theme park, as a precaution.

Check Out Also: Sierra hit by blizzard, resorts closed and travel disrupted

The community was shaken by the violence, and even local events such as the Bucks County St. Patrick’s Day Parade were impacted. Organizers made the difficult decision to cancel the parade in response to the ongoing emergency situation, urging attendees to return home for their safety. The senseless loss of life left a deep impact on everyone involved, with organizers expressing their condolences and prayers for the victims and their families.

In times of tragedy, it is crucial for communities to come together to support one another and prevent further harm. The swift actions of law enforcement officers in tracking down and apprehending the gunman helped to protect the public and bring a dangerous situation to a close. As the investigation unfolds and more details emerge, it is important to remember the lives lost and the ripple effects of such senseless violence on families, friends, and the wider community.

Unfortunately, incidents like these serve as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing underlying issues such as mental health, access to firearms, and conflict resolution to prevent future tragedies. By working together and advocating for change, we can strive to create safer communities where such senseless acts of violence are not tolerated.

Intellectuals Insider

+ posts

Check Out Also: Mother of Jury and L.A. City Council at Odds Over $24 Million Settlement

News

Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.

This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.

In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?

Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.

Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?

With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:

Prices may rise again

If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.

But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.

Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.

You may be able to make a quick profit

Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.

Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.

There are other benefits of investing in gold

There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:

Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.

The bottom line

Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.