45‑year‑old man kills nine, including children, then dies in Erie shooting

A 45‑year‑old man shot and killed nine people, including seven relatives and a family friend, before apparently turning the gun on himself in Erie, Pennsylvania on Oct 10, 2026.

What Happened

Police were called Friday evening after reports of gunfire. Officers found two women dead in the street outside a home in western Erie. Video showed the pair arriving at the house looking distressed, then trying to contact neighbours before entering. Inside, the shooter fired at the victims, left the house, shot the two women outside, and returned inside. He barricaded himself while police surrounded the building. He was later found dead inside with a self‑inflicted gunshot wound. Victims included a five‑year‑old boy, a one‑year‑old girl, a woman eight months pregnant, and adults aged 19 to 51. The shooter was related to seven of the victims; the eighth victim was a family friend.

Reaction

Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said the scene was the worst he had ever seen in his law‑enforcement career and that the city had likely never experienced such loss of life. Erie Mayor Daria Devlin said the community was hurting, that neighbours, families, and first‑responders were struggling to make sense of the tragedy, and that officers would be offered counselling. Governor Josh Shapiro said he had spoken with Mayor Devlin and offered the state’s full support, adding his heart breaks for the family. Erie News Now reported counselling being provided to responding officers.

Context

Mass shootings are a frequent problem in the United States, where firearms far outnumber people and political opposition makes tighter gun laws difficult to pass.