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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.
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Multiple people were killed in a shooting along Perry Street in Erie, Pa., Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, authorities said. (Google Maps)
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.
During Saturday’s update, Lorah said officers discovered a 5-year-old boy and a 1-year, 10-month-old girl on the first floor of the home. Four additional victims — a 24-year-old woman, a 44-year-old woman, a 19-year-old man and a 21-year-old man — were found on the second floor and in a stairwell.
The suspected gunman was found dead on the second floor from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, with a .40-caliber handgun recovered on his person. Lorah said the gun was registered to the suspect.
Investigators believe all eight victims were killed, and the gunman died before officers arrived, Lorah said. All the victims found inside the residence lived there.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro issued a statement confirming the number killed during the incident while offering support to victims’ families.
“I’ve spoken with Mayor Devlin and offered my Administration’s full support following the tragic mass shooting in Erie last night — killing nine of our fellow Pennsylvanians,” Shapiro wrote in a post on X Saturday morning.
“My heart breaks for this family. Lori and I are praying for their loved ones and the entire Erie community.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro confirmed nine people died in the mass shooting. (Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Images/File)
“It’s a horrific scene,” Lorah told the station. “There was a large loss of life inside that residence and outside that residence. … I can tell you that this is a tragic, tragic situation.”
Lorah defended the police response Saturday, explaining that officers initially had no way of knowing whether the suspect remained inside, had escaped or was holding anyone hostage.
He said officers heard no gunfire, screams or other signs of life coming from the residence. Police deployed drones and a robot to assess the interior before entering the home.
Lorah emphasized that obtaining a search warrant did not delay officers from entering the residence and that they would have gone inside immediately if they had detected signs someone was in imminent danger.
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Erie police responded to the 700 block of Perry Street Oct. 9, 2026, after reports of a shooting. (Erie Police Department)
The city of Erie issued a statement about the shooting, saying the incident resulted in “multiple deaths” and confirming that there was no ongoing threat to the public.
“We understand that this news brings deep shock and sorrow to our residents, and we want to assure the public that the situation has been contained,” the city said.
“Our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and everyone impacted by tonight’s tragedy,” the statement continued. “We will continue working closely with our Erie Police Dept, and will provide updates as soon as verified information becomes available.”
Erie Mayor Daria Devlin said Saturday the city is coordinating with crisis services, healthcare providers and schools to provide trauma support to families, students and residents affected by the shooting.
Erie police responded to reports of gunfire Friday evening before discovering multiple victims. (Erie Police Department)
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The department’s Criminal Investigations Division continues to investigate the shooting.
