Grandfather kills 8 relatives and himself in Erie mass shooting
A 45-year-old gunman killed eight people and took his own life in Erie, Pennsylvania, police said. The deadly attack left eight victims dead alongside an unborn child before the shooter died by suicide.
Authorities have not released the name of the gunman. Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said the man was related to seven victims. Police have not made the victims’ names public. The eighth victim was a friend of a pregnant woman killed in the house.
The attack occurred shortly before 5 p.m. Friday at a home. Mourners placed candles, flowers and stuffed animals outside the house on Sunday.
Julius Windham lost his 1-year-old daughter Amarianna, her pregnant mother, an unborn baby and a 5-year-old boy. Windham said the shooter was a grandfather who never seemed distressed.
“I think that was a front for him,” Windham said. “Him every day, him smiling and being just , you would think of nothing like that would happen.”
Windham wore a memorial shirt Sunday showing the slain woman and children. He said words cannot explain his grief.
Investigators recovered video and audio evidence from the scene. The recordings included muffled gunshot sounds from inside the home. Two distressed women then arrived and pounded on the door. The gunman came out and shot them. He returned inside.
Responding officers found two dead women outside. They deployed a drone and a robot. Officers then entered the Erie residence.
Police found the 5-year-old boy and 1-year-old girl on the first floor. Two women and two young men were dead in a stairwell. The shooter was found dead on the second floor.
“Out of respect for the victims and the families, I will not discuss the details of what our officers encountered inside that home,” Lorah said. “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 a motive. He suggested mental health could be a factor. Investigators plan to talk to relatives. They will also examine cellphones from the women killed outside.
“They knew something was going on at that house,” Lorah said. “We have to figure out what that is.”
Nicole Eller and Debra Eller said their best friend died in the attack. They knew the family for more than 30 years. Nicole Eller said the shooter was a good guy who started going downhill. Debra Eller called them a lovely family.
The event was reminiscent of a 1982 massacre in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. A man killed 13 people in that case. Five were his own children.
Erie Mayor Daria Devlin spoke directly to the victims’ families at a news conference Saturday. Devlin offered condolences on behalf of the community.
“I am so deeply sorry,” Devlin said. “What happened to you was horrific, and there is nothing that any of us can say today that will make this any easier. … Our entire community is with you, we’re grieving with you. And we are here to support you.”
A police department leads criminal death investigations through evidence collection and forensic reviews. Detectives examine digital devices and interview witnesses to establish timelines. The municipal government coordinates public safety updates following major violent incidents in Erie.
The city of Erie is located about 120 miles north of Pittsburgh.
