Shapiro says his heart breaks for the family after Erie shooting
All nine deaths in Friday’s shooting at a home in Erie, Pennsylvania, occurred before officers arrived, the city’s mayor’s office said Saturday in a statement confirming the nine deaths.
“Investigators have determined that all deaths occurred before officers arrived,” the statement said. “The deaths were not the result of any prolonged standoff or delay in police action.”
The statement came a day after a man shot and killed eight people, including two children, at the home before appearing to take his own life. Police were called to a street in the city of Erie on Friday afternoon after witnesses reported seeing a man firing a gun before he entered a home, the Erie News Now outlet reported.
Two women were reportedly found dead in the street. The gunman then barricaded himself inside as police surrounded the building and ordered him to leave, but more gunshots were heard, the outlet reported. When police entered, several more victims were found along with the gunman, who had an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said that “there are no words that can adequately express the magnitude of the loss of life here.” He added that police “will not speculate about a motive or any information that could compromise this investigation.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said he had offered his administration’s “full support following the tragic mass shooting in Erie last night - killing nine of our fellow Pennsylvanians.”
“My heart breaks for this family,” Shapiro said, adding that he and his wife “are praying for their loved ones and the entire Erie community.”
The mayor is expected to hold a press conference Saturday afternoon.