NEED TO KNOW
Nine people were killed in a shooting at a home on Perry Street in Erie, Penn., on Friday, Oct. 9
Two women were found dead outside the home, while several additional victims were discovered inside the residence
Authorities said there is no ongoing threat as investigators work to determine a motive
At least nine people were killed after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania home.
At around 5 p.m. local time on Friday, Oct. 9, police responded to 911 calls about a shooting at a residence on Perry Street in Erie, Erie News Now and KBTX News 3 reported. Two women were found dead outside and several more deceased victims were discovered inside the home.
The shooter allegedly entered the home after striking the two women and shot at multiple victims. The suspect then barricaded himself indoors, sparking a standoff with the SWAT teams on the scene, the outlets reported, citing the Erie Police Department (EPD).
At least nine people were shot dead, including two children, per Erie News Now and KBTX News 3. The victims have not yet been publicly identified.
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Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah confirmed in a press conference on Friday that the suspect died from a “self-inflicted gunshot wound,” per Erie News Now. A motive for the shooting has not been established at this time.
Lorah called the incident “one of the most difficult and heartbreaking scenes” and a “devastating” loss of life.
“The circumstances we are working through are deeply disturbing,” he said. “At this time, we can confirm that the suspect is deceased. Based on the information currently available to us, there is no ongoing threat to public.”
“Our hearts are with the victims, their families and everyone affected by this tragedy…,” Lorah continued. “Our investigators are working diligently to establish the full circumstances of what occurred … it’s going to take some time to put this all together.”
Perry Street in Erie, Penn.
Credit: Google
Harrowing footage from the scene shows several police vehicles outside the residence during the standoff as gunfire and screams are heard, per Erie News Now.
Erie News Now photographer Chris Peterson, who witnessed the standoff, told the outlet, “I was filming [near] a team of SWAT cars and we heard these shots go out. I run to this corner right here to get more footage and it’s just chaos. People are running off the left and right.”
Erie Government said in a statement on Facebook, “Tonight, a terrible tragedy occurred near 7th and Perry Streets in Erie, resulting in multiple deaths. We understand that this news brings deep shock and sorrow to our residents, and we want to assure the public that the situation has been contained. The shooter is deceased, and there is no ongoing threat or danger to the public at this time.
“Our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and everyone impacted by tonight’s tragedy. We will continue working closely with our Erie Police Dept. and will provide updates as soon as verified information becomes available,” the statement concluded.
PEOPLE has reached out to the EPD, Erie County Sheriff’s Office and Erie Government for comment.
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