USAupdated 2h ago3 min read
Erie Police Say Suspect Kills Nine In Pennsylvania Home, Then Dies
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Nine people died in a Erie, Pennsylvania home shooting; the suspected shooter also died. The shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound; authorities say there is no ongoing threat.
21 outlets told this the same way.
Erie home shooting
Police in Erie, Pennsylvania said nine people were killed in a mass shooting at a home on Friday night, and police said the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah told reporters, "It’s a horrific scene," and he said there was "a large loss of life inside that residence and outside that residence."
Officers responded to the house at 7th and Perry Streets around 4:50 p.m. after receiving a ShotSpotter alert about shots fired, and a SWAT team entered the house after getting a warrant.
The City of Erie later said all nine deaths occurred before officers arrived and that no additional shots were fired after that, and it said sounds heard during the police response were flash bangs associated with law enforcement’s tactical response.
Gov. Josh Shapiro said he spoke with Erie Mayor Daria Devlin and offered his support, saying, “My heart breaks for this family. Lori and I are praying for their loved ones and the entire Erie community,".
Conflicting death counts
CNN en Español reported that eight people were killed in the shooting in Erie, Pennsylvania, while the suspected shooter also died, and police said the nine deaths occurred before officers arrived.
Erie News Now said nine people, including at least two children, were dead following a shooting near E. 7th and Perry streets, and it said the suspected shooter was among those found dead inside a home at 722 Perry St.
Erie News Now also said police responded within minutes after receiving a ShotSpotter alert, and it said the city clarified that all nine deaths occurred before officers arrived.
Rick Lorah described the scene Friday night as one of the most difficult and heartbreaking his officers and investigators have encountered, saying, “The loss of life is devastating, and the circumstances we are working through are deeply disturbing,".
The City of Erie said Saturday that it wanted to clear up inaccurate information circulating after the shooting, and it said the situation was under control with no ongoing threat to the public.
Investigation and next updates
Police said they were investigating the shooting and stressed that the investigation is continuing, while Lorah told reporters they did not have additional information or motive.
NBC News said city officials announced the shooter was deceased and there was no ongoing threat to the public, and it said officials did not specify whether the shooter was included in the death toll.
NBC News also said investigators determined that all nine deaths occurred before officers arrived, and it said officers arrived within minutes of receiving a ShotSpotter alert and no additional shots were fired after they reached the scene.
Erie News Now said additional details about the shootings and the police response would be released during a news conference scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday, and it said police and the Erie County Coroner’s Office continued to investigate.
Gov. Josh Shapiro said he offered his administration’s “full support” to Erie Mayor Daria Devlin, and he wrote, “My heart breaks for this family. Lori and I are praying for their loved ones and the entire Erie community,".