Eight killed in Erie shooting before gunman apparently took his own life

Erie, United States. A 45-year-old man shot and killed eight people, including a pregnant woman and two children, before apparently taking his own life, authorities said at a press conference on Saturday. The shooting took place the previous evening.

Police investigating motive

Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said the gunman, who has not yet been identified, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound before officers arrived. Police found him on the second floor of a home on Perry Street.

Police have not established a motive. Lorah said eight of the nine people who died were family members, while one was a family friend.

After entering the home, the gunman came outside and shot two women who appeared “distressed” and were pacing back and forth seeking help from neighbours, Lorah said.

“Some scenes stay with you long after you leave them. This is one of those tragic scenes,” he said.

Mayor and governor respond

Erie Mayor Daria Devlin said the police department “arrived at a horrific scene, faced unimaginable circumstances, and carried out their duties with courage and professionalism.”

“They too are members of this community, and they too will carry the weight of what happened last night,” she said.

Earlier, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said in a statement on X that he had spoken with Devlin and offered support following “the tragic mass shooting.”

Gun reform proposals

Shapiro has long advocated for “common sense gun safety.” In 2024, he urged the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass gun reforms, including universal background checks and restrictions on ghost guns—homemade firearms that lack serial numbers and cannot be traced.

Several of his proposals have stalled in the state legislature.