Nine dead, including two children, after mass shooting and standoff in Erie, Pennsylvania
Police say nine people were killed in a shooting and subsequent standoff in Erie, Pennsylvania, and the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police responded to reports of gunfire on Perry Street in Erie around 5 p.m. on Friday. Officers found two women dead in the street and additional victims inside a nearby home. The suspect was later discovered deceased with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, and authorities said there is no longer any threat to public safety.
Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said the incident was extremely severe and declined to provide further details while the investigation continues. > "There are no words that can adequately express the magnitude of the loss of life here," Lorah said, adding that investigators are working to determine the circumstances and will not speculate on motive.
Mayor Daria Devlin and city officials issued a joint statement confirming that the shooter is dead and that the situation has been contained, expressing sympathy for the victims and their families.
The investigation remains ongoing as law-enforcement agencies continue to gather evidence.