Police Investigate Erie Shooting That Kills Nine People

Police in Erie, Pennsylvania, investigated a mass shooting and standoff on Friday that killed nine people, including children, after a gunman opened fire inside and outside a home. Authorities said the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and the motive remained under investigation.

According to 6abc, authorities have not released the identities of the suspect or victims. Police said investigators were still examining the circumstances that led to the shooting.

Officials said the incident began when police responded to 911 calls reporting a man firing a handgun outside a home on Perry Street, about a mile northwest of downtown Erie, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

First responders found two women shot to death in the street, and the situation developed into a standoff involving officers and a SWAT team, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. Officers used loudspeakers to order the man inside the home to surrender.

Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah described the scene as among the most difficult faced by officers and investigators.

"This is one of the most difficult and heartbreaking scenes our officers and investigators have ever encountered. The loss of life is devastating, and the circumstances we are working through are deeply disturbing," said Rick Lorah, Erie Police Chief.

The chief also addressed the devastation caused by the deaths as authorities continued their investigation into the shooting.

"The loss of life is devastating," said Rick Lorah, Erie Police Chief.

When police entered the home, they found additional victims, including children, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Authorities said the suspected gunman appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

City officials said the situation had been contained and that there was no ongoing threat or danger to the public at that time.

"The situation has been contained, the shooter is deceased, and there is no ongoing threat or danger to the public at this time," said Erie city officials.