Context: Law enforcement conducts a probe on I-95 in Upper Chichester Township, Pennsylvania (WPVI/YouTube). Inset left: Daryl Beckett (Pennsylvania State Police). Inset right: Chris Gordy (Hunt Irving Funeral Home).
A man wanted for allegedly gunning down two former classmates — killing one of them — following a high school reunion has been caught.
Daryl Beckett, 36, was sought after for almost two years due to charges connected to the murder of 41-year-old Chris Gordy. However, on Monday, it was announced by the U.S. Marshals Service that he was captured in Pennsylvania, concluding the hunt for one of the Pennsylvania State Police’s “Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives.”
On October 7, 2023, Beckett, Gordy, 37-year-old Ronald Collins — allegedly Beckett’s partner in crime — and others went to a high school reunion held at The Waterfall, a venue in Claymont, Delaware, authorities reported. Shortly after the event, Gordy was on I-95 in Upper Chichester Township, Pennsylvania, with another attendee when they encountered gunfire.
The U.S. Marshals Service stated that “over 40 bullets were discharged from a rifle at a moving car, resulting in the death of the driver [Gordy] and injuring a passenger,” whose identity remains undisclosed.
Hours after the men were ambushed, Beckett made a call to a friend in prison, according to an affidavit obtained by the Philadelphia Inquirer.
“Life is satisfying,” he reportedly expressed to Bryant Foreman, a Chester native serving a life sentence for a different murder. “I still possess it, friend … It happens instinctively.”
Both Beckett and Foreman reportedly hail from the same city, with Beckett having served time in the same prison for a 2008 attempted murder. Beckett was released earlier in 2023.
“Give me a little time, but it’s on,” Beckett is said to have told his friend.
Collins, who allegedly drove Beckett when they gunned down Gordy and his passenger, was reportedly detained two days after the shooting. Incriminating evidence was found, according to police, including a Glock handgun, gunshot residue, and his phone showing communication with Beckett and pictures of the victims.
Collins was ultimately arrested on Dec. 12, 2023, per local ABC affiliate WPVI.
Around this same time, a warrant was obtained for Beckett’s arrest. In addition to murder, he was also wanted for conspiracy and aggravated assault, among other crimes. However, authorities could not locate him. It wasn’t until recently that police learned Beckett was “hiding” at a residence in the 1600 block of Brighton Place in Pittsburgh.
He was arrested on Monday night.
“Thanks to the outstanding collaboration between the U.S. Marshals Service and Pennsylvania State Police, a dangerous murderer has been captured, and our community is safer tonight,” Robert Clark, supervisory deputy for the Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force, said on Monday.
Authorities have not released what they believe the motive behind the shooting was.
Upper Chichester Township is located just 20 miles or so southwest of Philadelphia.
