A man killed eight people including a pregnant woman, children and other relatives at his home in Erie, Penn., before taking his own life as well, authorities said Saturday. Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said the 45-year-old male gunman was related to seven of the victims in Friday’s shooting, while the eighth was a friend of the pregnant woman. Video and audio evidence recovered by investigators showed two “distressed” women arriving at the home shortly before 5 p.m. and pounding on the door, he said. The gunman then came out and shot them before returning inside. Police arrived to find the two women dead outside. Inside they found the bodies of a 5-year-old boy, a 1-year-old girl, two more women, two young men and the shooter. “Out of respect for the victims and the families, I will not discuss the details of what our officers encountered inside that home,” the chief said at a news conference. “But I want our community to understand the gravity of what happened and the profound impact this tragedy has had on those involved and on our community as a whole.” Lorah declined to discuss motive but said investigators would talk to other relatives and examine the cellphones of the women who were killed outside the home. “They knew something was going on at that house,” he said. “We have to figure out what that is.” Lorah said officers arrived within minutes of receiving an alert via ShotSpotter, a controversial gunshot detection system that relies on artificial intelligence and a network of microphones to identify gunshots. No additional shots were fired after that. “Sounds that may have been mistaken for gunfire came from flashbang devices — chemical munitions — used by SWAT officers,” he said. Gov. Josh Shapiro said he offered his administration’s “full support” to Erie Mayor Daria Devlin, who spoke directly to the victims’ families during the news conference. “I am so deeply sorry. What happened to you was horrific, and there is nothing that any of us can say today that will make this any easier,” she said. “But you do need to know that our entire community is with you, we’re grieving with you. And we are here to support you.” District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz urged the public to refrain from speculation as the investigation continues. “Please do not allow rumors, speculation or unverified information to add to the pain that these families are already experiencing,” she said. Erie is about 120 miles (190 kilometres) north of Pittsburgh. Jacqueline Ganun, The Associated Press Ganun is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
