Teen pleads guilty in Gerard Grandzol murder

PHILADELPHIA (FOX 29) - A teen accused of gunning down a father in front of his young child plead guilty to first-degree murder Friday.

Marvin Roberts, who was 16 at the time of the shooting, has been sentenced to 35 years to life in the murder or Gerard Grandzol.

Grandzol, a beloved activist in Spring Garden, had just parked his car in front of his home on the 1500 block of Melon Street back on Sept. 7, 2017, when he was approached by Roberts and his brother, Maurice.

Grandzol's then 2-year-old daughter was in the backseat when the brothers demanded Grandzol hand over his wallet and keys.

A transcript of the encounter was played in court in which Marvin Roberts-- the 16-year-old accused gunman-- says to Grandzol, "Turn around and give me the keys!" Grandzol responds, "I've got my 2-year old in the car. Let me get my daughter out of the car." According to the transcript, Roberts responds, "No, don't move!" and then fires, striking Grandzol in the head.

Grandzol was 38.

Maurice Roberts plead guilty to third-degree murder in the case last month.