Erie, Oct 12:
Nine people, including two children, were found dead following a shooting in Erie, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The suspected gunman was also found dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to local authorities.
Police were called to Perry Street on Friday evening after witnesses reported seeing a man firing a gun before entering a house. Two women were found dead outside the residence, and additional victims were discovered inside, according to local media reports.
Police said all nine deaths occurred before officers arrived at the scene and that no further gunshots were fired after their arrival. The victims included members of the suspect’s family and a family friend, according to reports.
Authorities have not established a motive for the shooting. Investigators are examining the circumstances leading up to the incident and gathering evidence to determine what prompted the violence.
The shooting has shocked the local community, with city officials and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro expressing condolences to the bereaved families. The authorities have urged the public not to circulate unverified information while the investigation continues.
The incident has renewed concerns over gun violence in the United States, where mass shootings continue to raise questions about firearm access, public safety and the effectiveness of existing prevention measures. However, investigators have yet to establish whether any specific motive or prior warning was associated with the Erie attack.