People in Erie are mourning after a mass shooting that left eight people dead and an entire community searching for answers. Family members gathered at a memorial Sunday, placing flowers, candles and stuffed animals outside the home where the shooting happened Friday afternoon. The suspected gunman also died, USA TODAY reported.
Among those killed was 1-year-old Amarianna. Her father, Julius Windham, said he is struggling to understand what happened. Standing near the memorial, he said the man accused of carrying out the shooting never appeared troubled or unusual. Windham said the gunman often seemed friendly and normal, making the tragedy even harder to comprehend, PennLive said.
Police have not publicly identified the shooter or the victims. Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said the 45-year-old gunman was related to seven of the victims. The eighth victim was a friend of one of the family members who was killed. Authorities say the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Fox News said.
Investigators say evidence collected from the scene suggests gunfire began inside the home. Police said two women arrived at the house and appeared distressed before they were shot outside. Officers later entered the home and discovered several victims, including young children. Lorah said the details were deeply upsetting and declined to describe the full scene out of respect for the families involved.
The motive remains unclear. Lorah said investigators are continuing to interview relatives and review evidence as they work to determine what led to the violence. He suggested mental health issues could be one area investigators examine, but no official conclusion has been announced.
As Erie mourns, community leaders are promising support for grieving families. Mayor Daria Devlin offered condolences and said the city stands with those who lost loved ones. At the memorial, many residents shared the same feeling: shock that such a tragedy could happen so close to home.
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