Eight people were killed in a shooting Friday night in Erie, Pennsylvania. Police said the shooter was also dead while calling the situation “deeply disturbing.”
WASHINGTON — A man killed eight people including a pregnant woman, children and other relatives at his home in Erie, Pennsylvania, before taking his own life as well, Friday, in what authorities called one of the “most difficult and heartbreaking scenes” in the city’s history.
Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said the 45-year-old man was related to seven of the victims in the shooting, while the eighth was a friend of the pregnant woman.
In a post shared late Friday night on social media, city officials called the shooting a “terrible tragedy” while confirming that the situation was considered contained.
“We understand that the news brings deep shock and sorrow to our residents, and we want to assure the public that the situation has been contained,” the city said.
Video and audio evidence recovered by investigators included muffled gunshot sounds coming from inside the home just before two “distressed” women arrived and began pounding on the door shortly before 5 p.m. Friday, he said. The gunman then came out and shot them as they ran toward him, before returning inside.
Police arrived to find the two women dead outside. Inside they found the bodies of a 5-year-old boy; a 1-year-old girl on the first floor; two more women and two young men in a stairwell; and the shooter on the second floor.
“Out of respect for the victims and the families, I will not discuss the details of what our officers encountered inside that home,” the chief said at a news conference. “But I want our community to understand the gravity of what happened and the profound impact this tragedy has had on those involved and on our community as a whole.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro confirmed Saturday morning that nine people had died and offered words of support for the community. Shapiro also pledged state resources to assist in the investigation.
“This is one of the most difficult and heartbreaking scenes our officers and investigators have ever encountered,” Lorah said during a Friday night press conference. “The loss of life is devastating, and the circumstances we are working through are deeply disturbing.”
Lorah said overnight that a possible motive had not yet been established, and authorities were expected to release more information.
Erie County shared a post on social media late Friday, offering condolences to the community and those directly impacted by the incident.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this heartbreaking loss. (…) In the days ahead, we must come together to support one another. No family or community should have to navigate this kind of heartbreak alone,” the post read.
Erie is about 80 miles southwest of Buffalo, New York, and about 100 miles northeast of Cleveland, Ohio.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.
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