A 45-year-old grandfather fatally shot nine family members, including children and a pregnant daughter, before taking his own life in a horrific massacre Friday evening in Erie, Pennsylvania. The Erie Police Department responded to the scene after a ShotSpotter alert detected gunshots.
Upon arrival, officers discovered the bodies of two women, ages 37 and 51, outside the residence. Inside, they found four more deceased individuals: a 19-year-old male, a 21-year-old male, a 44-year-old female, and a 24-year-old pregnant mother, identified by family as Angelina Stone. Her unborn child, due Wednesday, and her two other young children, ages five and nearly two, also died in the gunfire.
According to GoFundMe pages established by relatives, Lora Roberts, 37, and her friend Twila Tanner, 51, were killed while attempting to protect the children. Roberts, a mother of five, had been engaged for 14 years, while Tanner is remembered for her bravery in trying to help the family.
Video surveillance captured gunfire within the home, followed by two women appearing to seek help at the front door before being fatally shot. The shooter then returned inside and died by suicide. Police have not officially identified the victims, stating that next of kin were still being notified.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting are under investigation, but authorities believe it may be related to a mental health situation. The community is grappling with the tragedy, with relatives expressing disbelief and a desire for the victims to receive a proper send-off.
