Nine dead in Erie, Pennsylvania, after man kills family and friend before suicide

A 45-year-old gunman killed eight people, including two young children and a pregnant woman, at a residence in Erie on Friday before taking his own life.

Authorities in Erie, Pennsylvania, are investigating a mass shooting that left nine people dead, including the suspected attacker. Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah reported that the gunman killed seven relatives and a family friend at a home on Friday evening. Among the deceased were a 5-year-old boy, a 22-month-old girl, and a woman who was eight months pregnant. NBC News reported that the victims found at the scene included people ranging from 19 to 51 years of age.

The incident began just before 5 p.m. when police responded to a ShotSpotter alert. Upon arrival, officers found two women, aged 51 and 37, dead outside the house. According to NBC News, doorbell camera footage showed the women arriving at the residence in distress and seeking help before the suspect emerged and shot them. The Guardian noted that the suspect had a history with law enforcement, though the specific nature of that history remains unclear.

After the confrontation outside, the shooter returned indoors. Following a period where contact could not be established, SWAT officers used a robot to search the building and discovered six more victims across two floors. The 45-year-old suspect was found dead on the second floor from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police recovered a .40 caliber handgun registered to the suspect at the scene.

Chief Lorah stated that while a motive has not been confirmed, he believes mental health played a role in the tragedy. Erie Mayor Daria Devlin expressed condolences to the families and explained that the city delayed releasing specific details to ensure relatives were notified first. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed he has offered the state's full support to the local administration during the investigation.