A 45-year-old man killed eight people, including seven relatives, in Erie, Pennsylvania. Police say the shooter took his own life and mental health may be a factor.
Eight people were killed in a mass shooting in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Friday. The gunman, a 45-year-old man who was related to seven of the victims, took his own life. Authorities have not released the names of the shooter or the victims.
The victims included a 1-year-old girl, her pregnant mother, the woman’s 5-year-old son, and an unborn baby. Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah stated that the shooter was related to seven of the eight people killed. The eighth victim was a friend of the pregnant woman.
Julius Windham, the father of the 1-year-old victim, described the gunman as a grandfather who appeared normal in daily life. "I think that was a front for him," Windham said. "Him every day, him smiling and being just — you would think of nothing like that would happen."
Nicole and Debra Eller, friends of the family for more than 30 years, said the shooter "was a good guy, and then he started going downhill with everything."
The shooting began shortly before 5 p.m. Friday. Investigators recovered video and audio evidence showing muffled gunshot sounds from inside the home. Two women, described by police as "distressed," arrived and began pounding on the door. The gunman exited the home and shot them as they ran toward him, then returned inside.
Responding officers found the two women dead outside. After deploying a drone and a robot, officers entered the home and discovered the bodies of the 5-year-old boy and 1-year-old girl on the first floor. Two more women and two young men were found in a stairwell. The shooter was found 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," Chief Lorah said at a news conference.
Police have not released a motive but suggested mental health could be a factor. Chief Lorah said investigators would speak with relatives and examine the cellphones of the women killed outside the home. "They knew something was going on at that house," Lorah said. "We have to figure out what that is."
Erie Mayor Daria Devlin addressed the community on Saturday, expressing condolences to the families. "I am so deeply sorry," Devlin said. "What happened to you was horrific, and there is nothing that any of us can say today that will make this any easier. ... Our entire community is with you, we’re grieving with you. And we are here to support you."
This incident marks a significant loss of life in Erie, a city located about 120 miles (190 kilometres) north of Pittsburgh. The shooting has drawn comparisons to a 1982 massacre in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in which a man killed 13 people, including five of his own children. The ongoing investigation focuses on understanding the circumstances that led to the violence, with police examining digital evidence and interviewing family members.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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