SJ Grandma Kills Granddaughter

A South Jersey family is trying to come to grips with a personal tragedy after police said a grandmother allegedly shot and killed her granddaughter and then turned the gun on herself. Bertha Gordon was taken to Cooper Hospital-University Medical Center in Camden. Officials said she is expected to live. But once she leaves the hospital there is a good chance she could end up behind bars.

Investigators said two gunshots rang out in the home on Marshall Mill Road in Franklin Township, N.J., about 7 a.m. Thursday.

Bertha Gordon, 68, allegedly shot Charlena Gordon in the head while she was sleeping. Then, police said, Bertha Gordon put the gun to her own head and pulled the trigger. The elder Gordon survived, but her granddaughter died at the scene.

Charlena had just celebrated her 22nd birthday.

"She was a good girl. Big heart, loved life, you know. And she didn't have to die that way," said Beverly Battle.

Battle grew up living across the street from the Gordon family. She said Charlena lived in the house with her mother and grandmother.

Police said the mother was at home during the shooting. Battle said the family seemed to get along fine and that the news of Charlena's death is baffling to her.

"We don't know what went on behind closed doors. (They had a) typical granddaughter, grandmother relationship," Battle said.

"This is really shocking to hear what happened to her today," said Joe Sottosamti, the principal of Delsea High School.

Charlena was a special education student at the school. Paul Berardelli was the vice principal of the school and one of Charlena's teachers.

"I knew she was tight with her grandmother. One point in time her grandfather had passed. That hit her very, very hard. As far as I know, her grandmother was her rock," Berardelli said.

The Gloucester County prosecutor's office said charges against the grandmother are still pending.

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