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A 45-year-old Erie, Pennsylvania, gunman killed eight members of the same family, including a pregnant woman and two children, before turning the gun on himself in what police described as a “devastating” rampage Friday.
The victims ranged in age from 1 year and 10 months to 51, Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said Saturday in a news conference.
Two women, aged 51 and 37, were found dead outside the home. Inside, officers found a 5-year-old boy, a girl who was two months shy of 2 years old, and four adults: two women, aged 24 and 44, and two men, aged 19 and 21. One victim was eight months pregnant.
Police found all nine bodies at the Perry Street home after responding around 5 p.m. Friday to reports of a man firing a handgun outside and then storming into the house. A .40-caliber handgun registered to the suspected shooter was found on his body.
“It was horrific. It was the worst scene I have ever experienced,” Lorah said.
A 45-year-old shooter killed eight people, including a pregnant woman and two young kids, then himself Friday at a home in Erie, Pennsylvania (Getty)
Eight of the nine people who died were related, and the ninth victim was a family friend. Lorah did not reveal a motive for the shootings, but said mental health may be a factor.
“As I said last night, some scenes stay with you long after you leave them. This is one of those tragic scenes,” Lorah referenced his Friday remarks in which he called the incident “deeply disturbing’
“Out of respect for the victims and the families, I will not discuss the details of what our officers encountered inside that home,” he added Saturday.
Ring doorbell footage from a neighboring home shows the two women arriving in distress and pounding on the door for help, Lorah said.
Audio appears to capture muffled gunshots inside before the suspected shooter came outside and killed the women. Investigators believe he called out to them before they ran toward him.
The victims ranged in age from 1 year and 10 months to 51, police said Saturday (Reuters)
Two women were found shot dead in the street, while the remaining victims and the suspected gunman were found dead inside the home (Reuters)
One woman was the sister-in-law of a victim inside the home. The other was a family friend, he said. Police are reviewing their phones and interviewing relatives and witnesses to establish what they knew.
“They must have known that something was going on. They didn’t contact us, though, so we don’t know what that is yet,” Lorah said of the women.
Officers arrived within minutes of a ShotSpotter alert but heard no gunshots or cries for help and saw no movement inside, Lorah said. With the doors locked and windows covered, they couldn’t tell if the gunman was still inside or if anyone was being held hostage.
Police used drones to check the home before SWAT officers forced their way inside and sent in a robot to assess the scene. After discovering the bodies, officers entered the home, he said.
Eight victims were family members, while the ninth was a family friend (Getty)
All eight victims inside and the suspected shooter died before officers arrived. No gunshots were fired after officers arrived, Lorah said. Sounds mistaken for gunfire during the response came from flashbang devices and chemical munitions used by SWAT officers.
The investigation remains ongoing, and there is no threat to the public.
If you are based in the U.S., and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI) or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you