A man killed eight people, including a pregnant woman and children, at his home in Erie, Pennsylvania, before taking his own life, authorities said Saturday.
Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah stated that the 45-year-old gunman was related to seven of the victims, while the eighth victim was a friend of the pregnant woman. Police responded to the scene Friday evening after receiving an alert from ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system.
Upon arrival, officers found two women dead outside the home. Inside, they discovered the bodies of a 5-year-old boy, a 1-year-old girl, two other women, and two young men. The suspected shooter was found deceased on the second floor.
Lorah declined to discuss the motive or the specific circumstances encountered by officers inside the home, citing respect for the victims and their families. He confirmed that no additional shots were fired after police arrived.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro expressed his condolences and offered the administration's full support to Erie Mayor Daria Devlin. Devlin addressed 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." She assured them that the community was grieving with them and offering support.
District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz urged the public to avoid speculation as the investigation continues, asking them not to add to the families' pain with unverified information.
Erie is located approximately 120 miles north of Pittsburgh.