9 Dead, Including Children, In PA Shooting

ERIE, PA — Nine people were killed in a shooting at a Pennsylvania home on Friday, including children and the suspected gunman, according to officials and reports.

The shooting happened in the 700 block of Perry Street in Erie, where officers responding to reports of gunfire found multiple victims dead inside and outside a residence, according to the Erie Times-News.

Erie police Chief Rick Lorah said officers were first dispatched at 4:52 p.m. after reports of shots fired and shooting victims. When they arrived, they found two females with fatal gunshot wounds to their heads and faces outside the home.

Investigators later discovered additional victims inside, including the suspected gunman, who appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Lorah told the Erie Times-News.

A neighbor reportedly witnessed the suspect shooting the two females outside the residence. Lorah said the deceased suspect matched the witness's description and was found with a firearm.

Erie News Now reported that children were among the nine people killed. Authorities had not publicly identified the victims or released their ages in the initial reports.

In a Saturday update, city officials confirmed the death toll and said investigators determined that all nine victims died before officers arrived. Police responded within minutes of receiving a ShotSpotter alert, the city said.

Officials also clarified that no shots were fired after officers arrived. Sounds that some residents may have mistaken for additional gunfire were flash-bang devices used during the police response.

The city said officers initially had limited information about whether the shooter remained inside or posed an ongoing threat. Police continued assessing the situation while seeking a search warrant.

Lorah described the shooting as an exceptionally difficult scene for officers and investigators.

"It was horrific, definitely the worst I've ever seen," Lorah told the Erie Times-News.

The Erie Bureau of Police SWAT Team cleared the residence while investigators and the Erie County Coroner's Office processed the scene. Detectives also interviewed relatives and other people who might have information about the shooting.

Police had not publicly identified a motive in the initial reports.

The city assured residents that the suspected gunman was dead and there was no continuing danger to the public.

"Our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and everyone impacted by tonight's tragedy," city officials said.

A news conference was scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday to provide additional information about the shooting and police response.

The city also encouraged residents affected by the tragedy to contact Crisis Services at 814-456-2014 for counseling and support.