Bailey Mutschler, Bailey Brautigan, Drew Miller, and Jennifer Mobilia
2 days ago
Update as of 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 10:
Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah provided an update on the deaths of nine people in a mass shooting in Erie.
According to Lorah, Erie Police arrived on the scene after ShotSpotter detected two gunshots. At that time, they found two women, ages 51 and 37 outside a home on the 700 block of Perry St.
Lorah says that video evidence showed that the two women arrived at that residence in distress, seeking assistance from neighbors. He said muffled gunshots could be heard from within the home, and the footage showed the suspect, a 45 year old man, shoot the women and return inside the home.
When officers arrived on the scene, they didn’t know how many, if any people were in the home, and they didn’t know if they were dealing a potential hostage situation. They sought a search warrant before forcing entry into the home, Lorah said.
Once they breached the doors, Chief Lorah said they deployed a robot and saw that nobody was alive in the home. He says all victims died from gunshots before officers arrived at the residence.
The victims included the two women found outside, a five-year-old boy, a 22-month old girl, a 24-year old woman, a 44-year-old woman, a 19-year-old man, and a 21-year-old man. Lorah says one of those women was eight months pregnant. The suspected shooter was also deceased, and according to Lorah, a firearm was recovered on his person.
Lorah says the investigation remains active.
Nine people are dead after what Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro described as a mass shooting in the City of Erie Friday night.
The City of Erie also confirmed Saturday morning that nine people lost their lives in what they’re describing as a tragedy.
According to the city, officers arrived on the scene within minutes of receiving a ShotSpotter alert, and they say investigators found that all deaths happened before officers arrived. They also clarified that sounds heard during the police response were not gunfire. The city says those sounds were flash bangs from law enforcement’s tactical response.
Erie Mayor Daria Devlin’s office urged residents to “exercise care in sharing information,” citing “unverified reports and speculation” that circulated since the incident.
Erie police were called to the scene just before 5 p.m. Friday evening. Witnesses told police the gunman then ran into a nearby home.
Law enforcement first confirmed that two women were fatally shot on a sidewalk outside a home on the 700 block of Perry Street. Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah later confirmed that the shooter is also dead from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
According to Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook, two children were also found deceased inside the home.
Governor Shapiro released a brief statement Saturday morning, saying:
“I’ve spoken with Mayor Devlin and offered my Administration’s full support following the tragic mass shooting in Erie last night — killing nine of our fellow Pennsylvanians.”
“My heart breaks for this family. Lori and I are praying for their loved ones and the entire Erie community.”
Erie Mayor Daria Devlin is expected to address the city and provide more information at a press conference at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.