ERIE, Pa. — Erie residents gathered for a second night Sunday to remember those killed in Friday’s mass shooting on the city’s East Side, as families and neighbors continue to cope with one of the deadliest acts of violence the community has experienced.
Ten lives were lost in the shooting near East 7th and Perry streets, including two young children, a woman who was eight months pregnant and her unborn child. The suspected shooter is also among the dead.
Sunday evening’s candlelight vigil followed another gathering Saturday, bringing family members, friends, neighbors and community members back to the area to share memories, pray and support one another.
Flowers and candles have filled the neighborhood as those attending the vigils have tried to ensure the victims are remembered for their lives rather than the violence that ended them.
“We really just want people to come out and show the love that these people deserve in this dark time,” family member and vigil organizer Lisa Simmers said. “We don’t want that dark memory to be what defines their lives.”
What Police Say Happened
Erie police were alerted around 4:53 p.m. Friday after ShotSpotter detected two gunshots in the 700 block of Perry Street.
Officers arrived within minutes and found two women dead outside a home at 722 Perry St.
Investigators said video and witness accounts indicate the women had arrived at the residence appearing distressed and sought help from neighbors. Police believe shootings had already occurred inside the home before the suspected gunman came outside and killed the two women.
Officers did not initially know whether the gunman remained inside or whether other people, including children, were still in danger.
Police sought a search warrant while attempting to make contact with anyone inside. Drones were eventually deployed, and SWAT officers breached multiple doors and used a robot to assess the home before officers went inside.
Investigators later determined that all of the victims had been killed before police arrived and that the suspected shooter had also died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police also clarified that no shots were fired after officers arrived. Sounds heard during the tactical response that were initially believed to be gunfire were flash-bang devices and chemical munitions used by SWAT.
The victims found by police included two women, ages 51 and 37, outside the residence; a 5-year-old boy and a 1-year, 10-month-old girl on the first floor; and a 24-year-old woman, 44-year-old woman, 19-year-old man and 21-year-old man on the second floor and stairwell.
The suspected shooter, a 45-year-old man, was found dead on the second floor with a firearm on his person.
Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook later confirmed that the unborn child of the woman who was eight months pregnant is also included in the death toll, bringing the total number of lives lost to 10.
Police have not formally released the names of those killed or announced a motive.
Family Remembers Young Victims
Relatives have begun publicly sharing memories of some of the victims even as authorities have yet to formally release their identities.
Juicesiyah Alexander Ezekiel told Erie News Now his nearly 2-year-old daughter, Amari’anna, was killed.
“It was my baby, bro, and he just took her,” Ezekiel said. “Her name was Amari’anna. She’s the most beautiful baby God could have created.”
Ezekiel said the child’s mother, Angelina Stone, was also killed, along with her unborn child and her young son. He identified the suspected gunman as Stone’s father.
“I wouldn’t even put this on my worst enemy,” Ezekiel said. “It’s sickening.”
Simmers said the family is trying to make sure the victims receive the remembrance they deserve.
“We just want to make it right so that the respects are paid to them and they get the send-off they deserve,” she said. “At the end of the day, what happened will be remembered for years. This is not something that the city will ever forget.”
A GoFundMe has been established to help with funeral expenses for Stone and her children.
Neighborhood Comes Together
The shooting has shaken the East Erie neighborhood, but residents have also described an outpouring of support in the days since.
Hundreds attended Saturday’s vigil, where flowers, candles, prayers and hugs filled the block. Organizers used white and purple as the gathering’s colors and held a moment of silence for the victims.
The remembrance continued Sunday night, with those attending again sharing stories and standing with the families.
Neighbor Daniel DeLange told Erie News Now his family has lived in the area for about two months. He recalled what his family heard Friday evening.
“My son said he heard the first bang, then some screaming and three more shots,” DeLange said. “After that, it went quiet, and the cops arrived.”
Despite what happened, DeLange said he still feels safe in the neighborhood.
City, State Leaders Respond
Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah called the scene one of the most difficult and heartbreaking his officers and investigators have ever encountered.
“The loss of life is devastating, and the circumstances we are working through are deeply disturbing,” Lorah said.
Mayor Daria Devlin said the city is working with local organizations to provide assistance to families, neighbors, students and first responders.
“The trauma of an event like this doesn’t end when the scene is cleared or the headlines fade,” Devlin said. “Grief affects people differently, and the need for support may emerge in the days, weeks, and months ahead.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he spoke with Devlin and offered the support of his administration.
“My heart breaks for this family,” Shapiro said. “Lori and I are praying for their loved ones and the entire Erie community.”
The investigation remains active as police continue working to determine what led to the shootings.
Crisis support is available through UPMC Crisis Services at 814-456-2014 or 1-800-300-9558.
Erie News Now will continue to respectfully wait for police to formally release the identities of the victims.