Multiple killed in ‘devastating’ Pennsylvania mass shooting

Multiple people were killed in a shooting at a home in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Friday, in what the city’s police chief described as a “devastating” loss of life. No motive has been established.

The scale of the violence stunned even experienced officers.

Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said it was by far the worst crime scene he had seen in almost three decades of law enforcement, YourErie reported.

The suspected gunman is dead, authorities said, ending the immediate danger while investigators work to establish the scale and circumstances of the violence.

“Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this tragedy. There are no words that can adequately express the magnitude of the loss of life here,” said Lorah.

He added: “It’s a horrific scene. There was a large loss of life inside that residence and outside that residence

“I can’t confirm or deny the number of individuals that were involved here. I can tell you that this is a tragic, tragic situation.”

Families are awaiting formal identification of the victims as police prepare to release further information.

Newsweek emailed the Erie Police Department for further information outside regular working hours.

Key Points

• Officers first received reports of gunfire at 4:52 p.m.
• A witness said the armed man entered a nearby house.
• Police obtained a warrant before the SWAT team cleared the property.
• The Erie County Coroner’s Office joined investigators at the scene.
• Part of Perry Street remained closed late Friday.

What To Know

Police were called to the 700 block of Perry Street, on Erie’s East Side, where officers found two mortally wounded women outside a residence, authorities confirmed, YourErie reported.

A neighbor told investigators that a man had shot the pair before going into the house, Lorah said.

Responding officers surrounded the building as the emergency developed into a SWAT operation.

After securing a warrant, police forced their way inside.

More victims were discovered in different parts of the property, with local law-enforcement sources saying two small children were among them, YourErie anchor Jennifer Mobilia reported.

Police had not publicly confirmed the death toll by late Friday, and Lorah declined to give a precise figure, although local reports from Your Erie Now suggest it could be at least nine, including the shooter.

The suspected attacker was found with a gun and appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the chief.

“The suspect is deceased. It appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” said Lorah.

Authorities said his description matched that provided by the neighbor who witnessed the initial shooting.

Police had not identified anyone involved, disclosed their ages or determined whether those inside were relatives.

They were also investigating how, or whether, the suspected gunman knew the other victims.

Police Describe A Devastating Scene

Lorah said the circumstances surrounding the “most difficult and heartbreaking” scene were deeply disturbing and acknowledged the effect on the officers and detectives processing the home.

Lorah said officers would receive counseling for what they had witnessed at the scene.

Investigators began interviewing relatives and other potential witnesses while forensic teams examined the residence’s interior and exterior.

No motive had been established. “We will not speculate about a motive, or at least information that could compromise this investigation,” Lorah said.

No Continuing Threat

The City of Erie said the situation had been contained and there was no ongoing danger to residents.

“Our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and everyone impacted by tonight’s tragedy,” its statement said.

Mayor Daria Devlin described the shooting as a “terrible tragedy” and said officials would provide verified updates when they became available.

Police were expected to give an update Saturday as the investigation continued.

Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here.

Contact Newsweek editor on this story: Edward Pearcey.