Philadelphia

Funeral Mass for Philly Father Gunned Down Shielding Daughter From Carjacking

Gerald Grandzol was shielding his daughter from a carjacker; she was found crying in the back seat

Friends and loved ones gathered Wednesday for the funeral for a Philadelphia community activist gunned down during an attempted carjacking while his 2-year-old daughter sat in the back seat.

The funeral Mass for 38-year-old Gerard Grandzol was held at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Police believe 16-year-old Marvin Roberts shot Grandzol, while accompanied by his brother, 21-year-old Maurice Roberts. Both have been jailed on homicide charges and Marvin has been charged as an adult.

"It's a touch of evil. There's no way to explain [the shooting]," Capt. John Ryan, commanding officer of Philadelphia police homicide unit, said.

Police say when the brothers accosted Grandzol outside his home Thursday night they took his wallet and demanded his car keys. It was all caught on surveillance video.

"It's one the most horrific things I've seen," Ryan said. "It's hard to watch."

Grandzol, who grew up in Doylestown, is also survived by his wife and another daughter who was born in July. His family set up a GoFundMe page for memorial contributions.

Online court records don't list attorneys for the Roberts brothers.

Copyright The Associated Press
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