Police say seven of the victims were members of the same family, while investigators continue to probe the motive behind the deadly shooting in Erie.
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES — A devastating mass shooting in Erie, Pennsylvania, has left eight people dead, including two young children and an eight-months-pregnant woman, after a 45-year-old gunman allegedly opened fire at a family home before taking his own life.
Authorities confirmed that nine people died in total, including the suspected gunman, following the incident on Friday, October 9, 2026. The shooting has plunged the local community into mourning as investigators work to establish what led to the deadly attack.
According to Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah, officers responded to the scene after receiving reports of gunfire in the residential area around Perry Street.
When police arrived, two women, aged 51 and 37, were found dead outside the property. The remaining victims were discovered inside the house, alongside the suspected shooter, who had suffered an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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Police said seven of the victims were members of the same family, while the eighth was a family friend.
Two Children and Pregnant Woman Among Victims
The victims included a five-year-old boy, a young girl aged approximately one year, two women aged 24 and 44, and two men aged 19 and 21. The two women found outside the home were aged 51 and 37.
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Chief Lorah confirmed that the 24-year-old woman was eight months pregnant at the time of the shooting, adding to the scale of the tragedy.
Investigators said the two children were found on the first floor of the house, while the other adult victims were discovered on the second floor and stairwell.
The identities of the victims had not been publicly released in the initial police briefing as authorities continued their investigation and worked to notify relatives.
Describing the scene, Chief Lorah said some incidents leave a lasting emotional impact on those who respond to them.
“Some scenes stay with you long after you leave them. This is one of those scenes,” he said.
CCTV Footage Provides Clues
Police said investigators had reviewed video footage that appeared to capture events leading up to the shooting.
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According to Chief Lorah, the footage showed the two women who were later killed outside the property arriving at the home and attempting to seek assistance from neighbours.
Investigators reported hearing what appeared to be muffled gunfire in the footage before the gunman emerged from the house and shot the two women.
Authorities subsequently entered the property after arriving at the scene and hearing no signs of activity from inside.
Police have not established a definitive motive for the killings. Investigators are continuing to examine the available evidence and gather information to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Pennsylvania Governor Reacts to Tragedy
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro expressed sorrow over the shooting and said his administration had offered its full support to local authorities and the affected community.
In a statement, Shapiro said his heart broke for the family and extended his condolences to the victims’ loved ones and residents of Erie.
The governor also said he and his wife were praying for the bereaved families and the wider community as they grappled with the loss.
The shooting has renewed attention on the devastating consequences of gun violence in the United States, particularly incidents involving multiple victims in residential settings.
Investigation Continues
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the events that preceded the attack and the relationship between the suspected gunman and the victims.
Police have yet to publicly establish a motive, and officials have urged caution against speculation while investigators work to determine what happened.
For the Erie community, the immediate aftermath is marked by grief, unanswered questions and the loss of several members of one family, including two young children and a pregnant woman.
The incident stands as a tragic reminder of the devastating impact that acts of violence can have on families and entire communities.
