Teen charged in Philly dad’s murder outside home

Police have arrested a pair of brothers in connection with the murder of a Philly man outside his home last week.

The pair, identified as Maurice Roberts, 21, and Marvin Roberts, 16, are accused of sticking up Gerard Grandzol, 38, before fatally shooting him at point-blank range just after 8 p.m. Thursday on the 1500 block of Melon Street, near Broad and Fairmount, according to the Inquirer.

Grandzol had just pulled up on his block with his 2-year-old daughter in the car when the two allegedly stopped him.

Grandzol reportedly handed over his wallet and surrendered his car keys when they demanded his vehicle, according to police.

But when he went to get his daughter out of the car, according to police, the younger Roberts, who was armed with a 9mm handgun, decided Grandzol was going too slowly, and shot him twice in the face.

Grandzol was also the father of a newborn baby girl.

Marvin Roberts was reportedly identified and taken into police custody for questioning early Saturday. Maurice Roberts was arrested around 6:15 p.m. at a motel in Mt. Olive, New Jersey.

Both of the Roberts brothers are known to police and have been arrested previously. They will be charged with murder.

Grandzol was remembered by friends and colleagues as a community activist who spent years volunteering his time at community groups in Francisville and other areas. He was the executive director of a legal recruiting company. He was a St. Joseph’s alum who previously graduated from Archbishop Wood High School. Neighbors recalled him as a vivacious, welcoming neighbor who loved his block and built his own roof deck.

A Gofundme page, the Gerard Grandzol Memorial Fund, which was started by friends on behalf of the Grandzol family, had raised $113,000 as of Sunday afternoon.

“We blindly lost a beautiful soul on September 7, who tragically gave his life to protect that of his 2-year-old daughter,” the Gofundme page reads. “We will never be able to replace the love, laughter and light that Ger brought to our lives, but perhaps we can do our part to help provide for his two children and widow.”