The Erie County coroner has identified the victims of Friday’s mass shooting, including Lora Roberts, remembered by friends for her kindness and dedication to the community.
ERIE, Pa. —
The Erie County coroner has identified the victims of Friday’s mass shooting, which left 9 people dead, including the shooter, and devastated the local community.
Coroner Lyell Cook confirmed the names of the adults killed in the shooting.
Who Was Lost
The victims, whose causes of death were ruled as homicides by gunshot wounds, included Stone’s wife, 44-year-old Michelle Stone; his pregnant daughter, 24-year-old Angelina Stone, who was due to be induced on the day of the shooting; his sons, 19-year-old Jonathan Stone and 21-year-old Matthew Stone; 51-year-old Twila Tanner; and 37-year-old Lora Roberts.
The shooter, 45-year-old Matthew Stone Sr., died by suicide from a gunshot wound to the head. Two young children also died.
Friends, Neighbors, Remember the Victims
Lora Roberts is being remembered by some as a great friend.
“She always lifted you up,” said Chris Tombaugh, director of Community of Caring and a close friend of Roberts. “She always knew when something was wrong with somebody and would try to help.”
Tombaugh said a post from Roberts about a previous shooting in Erie appeared on her social media feed this weekend, making the tragedy even harder to process.
“Erie, we need to do better. Another family mourning, another heartbreaking story, hearing about a newborn baby, a 25-year-old female found deceased, and all the other tragedies happening in Erie has really gotten to me,” Tombaugh said, quoting Roberts’ post.
“She just wanted the community to be a better place,” Tombaugh added.
Erie Archbishop Dwane Brock, who was hosting a conference with dozens of bishops when the shooting happened, said action is needed to address gun violence and mental health.
“We know that the criticism is going to come, but nevertheless, we want to save lives. Number two, we need to enhance the talk about mental health,” Brock said.
He described the moment he learned about the shooting during the conference.
“We were in a state of shock, because I had bishops in literally from all over the country here at a conference. And then the news came to me, which of course, we had to address at that time,” Brock said. “It was horrendous. It was demonic. And our prayers, of course, go out to the Erie community and the families at large.”
Tombaugh is still grappling with the loss of her friend.
“Sunday and Saturday, I was thinking, I need to call Lora and see how she is. It just popped into my head that it’s just something that I can’t do,” Tombaugh said.
She emphasized that all the families affected by the tragedy will need support and help from the community.
There are several GoFundMe links for the victims.
Fundraiser to Support Lora Roberts’ Family, organized by Kellie Eggleston
Fundraiser by Aaliyah Williams: Funeral Support for Angelina and Her Children
Fundraiser by Adam Pasold: In Loving Memory of Twila Tanner ❤️