Erie, Oct 11 (V7N)- At least eight people, including a pregnant woman and two children, were killed in a shooting rampage in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Friday evening. The 45-year-old suspected gunman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, local police said, Reuters reported.
At a press conference on Saturday afternoon, the Erie City Police Department provided details of the shooting, which left the community mourning and raised renewed concerns over gun violence in the United States.
Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said seven of the eight victims were relatives of the suspected shooter, while the remaining victim was a family friend. Authorities had not immediately released the victims' names.
According to police, the suspect first entered a residence on Perry Street and opened fire. He then went outside and shot two women in the street. Both women died from their injuries while attempting to reach nearby neighbours for help. Police later found the suspect's body on the second floor of the house.
Chief Lorah, a veteran officer with more than 28 years of service, described the incident as deeply tragic, saying some crime scenes leave lasting impressions on those who respond. Authorities have not yet established a motive for the shooting.
Erie Mayor Daria Devlin praised police officers for their courage and professionalism in responding to the incident. She described the deaths as an irreparable loss for the victims' families and the wider community.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said in a message on X, formerly Twitter, that he had contacted the mayor and assured her of the state government's full support.
The shooting has also renewed calls for stricter gun-control measures, including enhanced background checks and action against unlicensed firearms known as “ghost guns.”
According to the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive, the United States has recorded more than 400 mass shootings so far in 2026. The country continues to face debate over measures intended to reduce gun violence and prevent similar tragedies.
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