Grandfather Kills Three Generations of Family in Pennsylvania Murder-Suicide

Matthew Stone Sr., 45, murdered three generations of his family in a horrific mass shooting at his home in Erie, Pennsylvania, before taking his own life, authorities confirmed.

The coroner's office identified eight victims in addition to an unborn baby who also died in the Friday incident. Stone Sr. fatally shot his wife, Michelle Stone, 44, their sons Jonathan Stone, 19, and Matthew Stone Jr., 21, and their pregnant daughter, Angelina Stone, 24.

Angelina's unborn child, Kyrie, who was due on Wednesday, and her two young children, Isaiah, 5, and Amari'anna, who was nearly 2 years old, were also killed, according to family statements.

Michelle Stone's sister, Lora Roberts, 37, and a family friend, Twila Tanner, 51, were identified as additional victims. They reportedly died while attempting to protect the children.

Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah stated that responding officers were alerted to the incident by a ShotSpotter activation indicating gunshots. Further investigation revealed audio and video evidence of muffled gunshots from inside the home, followed by two women arriving and pounding on the door. The gunman then emerged and fired at the women before returning inside.

Officers discovered Roberts and Tanner deceased outside the residence. A subsequent search of the home, aided by a drone and robot, revealed the bodies of the five-year-old boy and one-year-old girl on the first floor, two more women and two young men in a stairwell, and the shooter on the second floor. Roberts was transported to a local hospital where she later died from her injuries.

Juicesiyah Alexander Ezekiel, the father of Amari'anna, described Stone Sr. as someone who never appeared distressed. "I think that was a front for him. Him every day, him smiling and being just - you would think of nothing like that would happen," Ezekiel told Erie News Now. "It was my baby, bro, and he just took her. Her name was Amari'anna. She was the most beautiful baby God could have created."

Erie Mayor Daria Devlin expressed deep sorrow to the victims' families, stating, "What happened to you was horrific, and there is nothing that any of us can say today that will make this any easier. Our entire community is with you. We're grieving with you, and we are here to support you."

While Lorah declined to discuss motive, he suggested that mental health could be a contributing factor. Investigators are reviewing cellphones from the women killed outside the home and interviewing relatives. Lorah also noted that Stone Sr. had prior interactions with the police department, with the last believed to be in 2022.

Fundraising efforts have been established to support the families of the victims. A GoFundMe for Tanner described her as having died "while bravely trying to help a friend protect her family from a violent and dangerous individual." Another page created for Roberts remembered her as a loving mother of five children. Family friends indicated that Roberts frequently visited the home to assist during Angelina's pregnancy, noting that Stone Sr. had "started going downhill with everything."