Nine people killed in Pennsylvania shooting; suspected gunman found dead

Nine people killed in Pennsylvania shooting; suspected gunman found dead

Authorities confirmed nine people are dead after a shooting in Pennsylvania Friday night, including the suspected gunman, who reportedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Two young children and a woman who was eight months pregnant were among the eight victims killed, Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah revealed during a news conference Saturday.

The suspected shooter, a 45-year-old man, was also found dead.

Eight of the nine deceased, including the suspected shooter, were related, while the remaining victim was a family friend, Lorah said.

Lorah said the ShotSpotter alert was triggered at approximately 4:53 p.m. by two gunshots in the 700 block of Perry Street. Officers arrived approximately three minutes later and discovered two women, ages 51 and 37, dead outside the residence.

Investigators reviewing Ring doorbell footage from a neighboring home determined that the two women appeared distressed as they sought help from neighbors and pounded on a door. The recording captured what investigators believe were muffled gunshots inside the residence before the suspect emerged and fatally shot both women, Lorah said.

One of the women was a family friend, while the other was a sister-in-law of one of the victims, according to Lorah. Neither woman lived at the home.

Lorah clarified Saturday that sounds some witnesses may have mistaken for additional gunfire during the police response came from flash-bang devices and chemical munitions deployed by SWAT officers.

“I want to be candid with our community. This is one of the most difficult and heartbreaking scenes our officers and investigators have ever encountered. The loss of life is devastating, and the circumstances we are working through are deeply disturbing,” Lorah said, according to FOX8.