ERIE, Pa. — Nine people, including two children, are dead following a shooting and standoff on Perry St. in the City of Erie Friday night, sources tell Erie News Now.
The suspected shooter was among those found dead. Police said he was discovered inside the home at 722 Perry St. with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. There is no ongoing threat to the public.
Officers first responded to the 700 block of Perry Street around 5 p.m. following 911 calls reporting shots fired outside.
Witnesses reported seeing a man firing a handgun outside the residence before entering the home. Two women were initially found dead in the street.
Erie police and the department’s SWAT team surrounded the residence as the situation developed into a standoff. Officers repeatedly used a loudspeaker to order the man inside to surrender.
Additional gunshots were heard during the standoff. Police later entered the home and found more victims in different areas of the residence, including children.
Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah described the scene as one of the most difficult and heartbreaking his officers and investigators have encountered.
“The loss of life is devastating, and the circumstances we are working through are deeply disturbing,” Lorah said.
Mayor Daria Devlin also issued a statement Friday night, calling what happened a “terrible tragedy” and assuring residents that the situation had been contained.
“Our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and everyone impacted by tonight’s tragedy,” Devlin said.
Police have not released the identities of those killed, discussed a possible motive or confirmed the total number of fatalities, only calling it a “devastating loss of life.”
The Erie County Coroner’s Office and police remained at the home late Friday night processing the scene. Lorah said investigators are still working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the shootings.
Police said officers who responded are also being offered counseling because of what they encountered.
The investigation remains ongoing. Stay with Erie News Now for the latest information as it becomes available.