ERIE, Pennsylvania (WOIO) – The Erie mayor and police chief shared new information Thursday on the circumstances leading up to the deadly Erie mass shooting.
Mayor Daria Devlin and Police Chief Rick Lorah outlined information gathered through interviews with family members, a review of records and communications, and evidence collected from the residence at a press conference Thursday.
“Before we discuss the details of this investigation, we must remember the eight members of our community whose lives were taken: Michelle Stone, Angelina Stone, Jonathan Stone, Matthew Stone, Lora Roberts, Twila Tanner, and two young children, just 5 years old and 22 months old,” said Mayor Devlin. “They were our neighbors, and their loss has left an unimaginable hole in the lives of their families and in our community.”
Investigators detail history of family concerns
Chief Lorah said that investigators learned from family members “about longstanding concerns involving controlling behavior within the household, limited contact with extended family and reports of domestic violence.”
The police department reviewed a 2019 domestic violence case involving Matthew Stone Sr. and Michelle Stone, and a firearm was reported to be involved in that incident. Investigators determined that the firearm was the same handgun used in the Oct. 9 shooting.
Charges in the 2019 case were reported to have been withdrawn after Michelle changed her original statement at the preliminary hearing, according to a police report.
Police reported that family members had raised concerns over Matthew Stone Sr.’s mental health, possible physical health problems and suspected substance abuse, including methamphetamine.
According to the release, detectives found drug paraphernalia inside the residence.
Detectives checked with LECOM/Millcreek Community, Safe Harbor/Crisis Services, AHN Saint Vincent and the Crime Victim Center and found no medical records confirming a mental health diagnosis through those providers.
Police added that investigators learned that Angelina Stone expressed previous concern about her father and recently communicated plans to leave the residence.
Messages reportedly indicate that her father was forcing her and her brothers out of the residence and physically abused her brothers, according to the release from police and city officials.
Detectives found packed bags and boxes in Angelina’s bedroom along with what the press release described as “concerning living conditions.”
Officials release shooting timeline
From the release, the investigation established the following timeline:
4:39 p.m.: Angelina video called her aunt, Lora Roberts, Michelle’s sister. Lora messaged Angelina that Lora was on her way. Lora also messaged Toni Simon, the significant other of Matthew’s brother, Robert Stone. Toni and Robert are reported to live at 714 Perry Street. In the message, Lora said Angelina needed help.4:49 p.m.: Roberts and Twila Tanner arrived outside the residence and were shot by Matthew Stone Sr. in front of the home.4:52 p.m.: City’s ShotSpotter system detected gunfire. Officers were dispatched at 4:53 p.m. and arrived at 4:55 p.m.4:56-5:53 p.m.: The SWAT team and hostage negotiation team were notified and arrived. Officers established a perimeter, made repeated announcements into the residence and deployed a drone to gather visual information.7:12 p.m.: Officers breached the front and rear doors and began searching the residence. The front door was partially barricaded. Flashbang devices were used at both entrances. A robot and drone were sent inside.7:27 p.m. and 7:36 p.m.: Officers located two children on the first floor, found Angelina in the stairwell, and found Michelle and the two sons.7:59 p.m.: An officer located Matthew Stone Sr. on the second floor with “an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and the firearm used in the homicides.”
“We have worked to establish the facts as carefully and thoroughly as possible,” Chief Lorah said. “We recognize that our community has been looking for answers, and we wanted to share these findings so people have a clearer understanding of what happened.”
Previous Coverage
PREVIOUS: Coroner identifies nine victims and shooter in Erie mass shooting
According to Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook, there are actually 10 total deaths in the shooting, including the shooter.
The identification of the shooter is Matthew Stone Sr., 45, who Cook says is the father.
In a press release, the city said officers responded to the 200 block of Seventh and Perry Streets at 4:53 p.m. Friday last week after receiving a ShotSpotter alert indicating two gunshots.
PREVIOUS: 2 children, pregnant woman among nine dead in Erie mass shooting, police say
Within minutes of responding, police reportedly located two women who had died outside the residence.
The city said that officers had limited information when they arrived at the scene, which included “whether the individual remained inside or posed an ongoing threat.”
They added that officers “continued assessing the situation and gathering information while seeking a search warrant.”
From video evidence and witness accounts, the city reports that women were shown arriving “at the residence, appeared distressed, and sought help from neighbors. Investigators believe gunfire occurred inside the residence before the suspected shooter exited the home and fatally shot both women.”
Cook confirmed with 19 News the following identifications of the victims and their affiliation to the shooter:
Michelle Stone, 34, motherMatthew Stone, 21, adult child 1Jonathan Stone, 19, adult child 2Angeline Stone, 24, adult child 3Angeline was pregnant with an induction date of Oct. 12, making her unborn fetus the ninth victimTwila Tanner, 51, neighborLora Roberts, 37, neighbor5-year-old boy, grandchild 11-year-old girl, grandchild 2Unborn fetus, grandchild 3
Investigators confirmed that all deaths occurred before officers arrived. They added that “the deaths were not the result of any prolonged standoff or delay in police action.”
The Associated Press reported early Saturday that the shooting “left eight people dead, police said; the suspected shooter also died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.” Chief Lorah confirmed the details at the press conference.
The city also confirmed in the release that the victims were killed and that the suspect died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds before police arrived.
Chief Lorah said two of the victims, both women, were found dead outside the residence.
No additional gunshots were fired after police arrived, the city reported, adding that any sounds heard when police responded were flash bangs associated with law enforcement’s “tactical response.”
Officials and community respond to shooting
In a social media post at 9:55 p.m. Friday, the city of Erie wrote, “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.”
At the conference, Erie Mayor Daria Devlin expressed condolences to the families.
“I want to start by speaking directly to the families who lost loved ones last night. I am so deeply sorry,” Mayor Devlin said. “What happened was horrific, and I know there is nothing I can say today that will make this any easier. But I want you to know that our entire community is thinking of you, grieving with you and here to support you.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro took to social media to offer his administration’s support.
The city is also advising residents to be careful when sharing information about the shooting, writing that unverified information “can deepen the pain experienced by grieving families, create unnecessary fear, and potentially put responding officers and members of the public at risk.”
A vigil was held Saturday for the Friday mass shooting in Erie that left nine dead, including two children, a pregnant woman and the suspect.(WOIO)
“Our hearts remain with the victims, their loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss of life,” the city wrote.
The city additionally advises that anyone who would like to speak with a crisis counselor can contact UPMC Crisis Services at 814-456-2024 and AHN Behavioral Health at 814-866-848.
“The trauma of an event like this doesn’t end when the scene is cleared or the headlines fade,” said Mayor Devlin. “Grief affects people differently, and the need for support may emerge in the days, weeks, and months ahead. We will continue listening to what families and neighbors need and working to make those resources accessible.”
City to examine how families are supported
Mayor Devlin said the city’s responsibility also includes “examining how individuals and families experiencing serious challenges can be better identified and supported.”
“Were there opportunities to recognize that this family was struggling? Were there places where our systems could have responded differently? And how do we make sure other families in our community who are suffering or struggling don’t fall through the cracks?” Devlin said.
The release said that Mayor Devlin has begun conversations with healthcare leaders and community organizations about supporting families experiencing domestic violence, isolation and other issues.
According to the release, the city is also examining opportunities to “strengthen domestic violence training, improve coordination among service providers and build stronger connections with schools and community organizations.”
The release said that planned public briefs on the investigation have concluded, but the city will continue to work “to support grieving families, help the Perry Street neighborhood heal, and strengthen services for residents.”
“We cannot change what happened on Friday. But we can honor those we’ve lost through the care we show those who are grieving, the questions we are willing to ask, and the changes we make moving forward,” said Devlin. “We are here with you, and we will keep doing the work to make Erie a place where every family is seen, supported, and safe.”
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