UPPER CHICHESTER TOWNSHIP, PA – A two-year fugitive search ended this week after authorities apprehended a Pennsylvania man wanted in the fatal shooting of a former classmate shortly after a high school reunion, according to officials.
Daryl Beckett, 36, was taken into custody in Pittsburgh on Monday, the U.S. Marshals Service announced, capping an extensive investigation that placed Beckett among the Pennsylvania State Police’s list of “Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives.” Beckett is accused of killing 41-year-old Chris Gordy and injuring another individual in a gunfire attack that followed a gathering with former classmates.
The incident unfolded on the evening of October 7, 2023, when Beckett, Gordy, 37-year-old Ronald Collins, and other alumni attended a reunion event at The Waterfall, a banquet venue in Claymont, Delaware. After leaving the event, Gordy and another attendee were driving northbound on I-95 in Upper Chichester Township, about 20 miles southwest of Philadelphia, when a hail of rifle gunfire riddled their vehicle.
Authorities reported that more than 40 rounds were discharged at the moving car. Gordy, who was driving, died at the scene, while the unnamed passenger sustained injuries. The intense barrage suggested premeditation and tactical execution, according to law enforcement sources.
Investigators quickly turned their focus to Beckett and Collins after uncovering evidence connecting them to the attack. Collins, believed to have driven Beckett during the shooting, was taken into custody two days later. Police located a Glock handgun, gunshot residue, incriminating phone messages, and photos of the victims on his mobile device.
Further examination revealed that hours after the shooting, Beckett allegedly contacted a friend who is serving a life sentence at a state prison. During the call, Beckett reportedly alluded to the violent encounter, referencing his past and expressing no remorse.
Beckett, a resident of Chester, had served prison time previously for a 2008 attempted murder conviction and was released earlier in 2023. The timeline of his release and return to violent crime raised questions about his motives, although authorities have yet to publicly identify a reason behind last year’s killing.
Charges against Beckett include murder, conspiracy, and aggravated assault. While Collins was booked in December 2023, Beckett managed to evade capture for months, reportedly moving between different locations.
The breakthrough in the manhunt came when authorities learned Beckett was staying at a residence along the 1600 block of Brighton Place in Pittsburgh. Teams moved in on Monday night, securing his arrest without incident.
Officials credited the cooperative efforts of the U.S. Marshals Service and Pennsylvania State Police for Beckett’s capture. Both agencies stressed the importance of teamwork in taking a high-risk suspect into custody and restoring a sense of security for the community.
The identity of the survivor from the shooting remains undisclosed, and no additional suspects have been named. Investigators continue to look into the circumstances surrounding the confrontation on the night of the reunion.