Erie Shooting Leaves Multiple People Dead Including Two Children

Multiple people, including two young children and a suspected gunman, died in a shooting in Erie on Friday night, according to reports cited by WJET. Police initially responded to reports of two women shot outside a home on Perry Street before witnesses reported that the gunman had entered a nearby residence.

According to WJET, officers surrounded the house and forced their way inside after securing a warrant. Sources told the news outlet that officers found multiple bodies inside, including those of two small children. Authorities have not confirmed the total number of people involved.

Chief Lorah described the incident as a devastating event, expressing sympathy for those affected by the deaths.

"Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this tragedy. There are no words that can adequately be expressed the magnitude of the loss of life here," said Chief Lorah.

Lorah also described the conditions officers encountered at the scene, noting that deaths had occurred both inside and outside the residence. The chief emphasized that the full extent of the incident had not been confirmed.

"Yeah, it's a horrific scene. There was a large loss of life inside that residence and outside that residence. I can't confirm or deny the amount of individuals that were involved here. I can tell you that this is a tragic, tragic situation," said Chief Lorah.

According to WJET, Lorah said the suspected gunman was dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities have not publicly established how many individuals were involved in the shooting.

Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the violence. It remains unclear whether the victims and the suspected gunman knew one another, according to the source report.