ERIE, PA. (THECOUNT) — Nine people, including two children, are reported dead following a mass shooting and hours-long standoff Friday in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. The suspected gunman was also found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said, as investigators worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the devastating violence.
Erie police were called to the 700 block of Perry Street near East 7th Street shortly before 5 p.m. Friday, October 9, after witnesses reported seeing a man firing a gun outside a home before entering the residence.
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Officers arriving at the scene found two women dead in the street with gunshot wounds. Additional victims were discovered inside the home, according to reports from local authorities and news outlets.
Police surrounded the residence as the incident developed into a standoff involving tactical officers. The suspected shooter was ultimately found dead inside the home with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities have reported nine deaths, including two children, but have not publicly released the victims’ identities. Officials have also not established a motive or publicly explained the relationship, if any, between the suspected gunman and the victims.
Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah described the scene as among the most difficult and heartbreaking officers and investigators had encountered. He said authorities were still working to establish the full circumstances and declined to speculate about a motive or release details that could compromise the investigation.
House shooting in Erie, PA
9 dead, including children. 💔Footage from @WRAL you can hear GUNSHOTS ring out.
Police say the suspect is dead, no threat to community, and the details surrounding the shooting are “deeply disturbing.” ⬇️ https://t.co/K9frCQ6edV
— Kiki Danger (@itskikidanger) October 10, 2026
“There are no words that can adequately express the magnitude of the loss of life here,” Lorah said. “Out of respect for the victims and their loved ones, I will not discuss the specific details of what our officers encountered today.”
Lorah said investigators were working diligently to determine what happened. The scene remained under investigation as police and the Erie County Coroner’s Office worked to process evidence and establish the details of the deaths.
The City of Erie and Mayor Daria Devlin issued a joint statement confirming that the situation had been contained and that the suspected shooter was dead.
“Our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and everyone impacted by tonight’s tragedy,” the statement said. Officials also assured residents that there was no ongoing threat or danger to the public.
Local news photographer Chris Peterson, who was at the scene, described hearing gunshots during the standoff and seeing people run as the situation unfolded, according to Erie News Now. Video from the area showed a heavy police presence around the residence.
Authorities have not announced a motive, identified the victims or released additional details about the suspected gunman. Investigators are continuing to establish the sequence of events and verify information surrounding the deaths.
Erie is a city in northwestern Pennsylvania along the shore of Lake Erie, near the Ohio and New York state lines. The shooting occurred on the city’s east side near Perry Street and East 7th Street, prompting a major police response and leaving the community mourning an extraordinary loss of life.
Google Maps: Perry Street and East 7th Street, Erie, Pennsylvania
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