Grandfather kills eight family members and friends in Erie mass shooting
Police say a grandfather killed eight people, including seven relatives, before turning the gun on himself during a mass shooting at an Erie home.
A 45-year-old grandfather took his own life in Erie after fatally shooting eight people, police say. The Friday attack took the lives of seven relatives and one friend at a local home. Authorities have not released the name of the gunman or the victims.
The motive remains unknown, according to Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah. Chief Lorah suggested mental health could be a factor in the attack.
The shooting happened shortly before 5 p.m. Friday. Mourners gathered outside the residence on Sunday and placed flowers, candles and stuffed animals.
Julius Windham said his 1-year-old daughter Amarianna died in the shooting. The girl’s pregnant mother, her 5-year-old son and her unborn baby were also killed.
Windham said the gunman never seemed distressed. He described the killer as a smiling grandfather.
“I think that was a front for him,” Windham said.
Chief Lorah said video and audio evidence captured muffled gunfire inside the home. Two distressed women arrived moments later and began pounding on the door.
The gunman stepped outside and shot both women as they ran toward him, Lorah said. He then went back inside the house.
Responding officers found the two women dead outside the residence. Officers then deployed a drone and a robot before entering the home.
Police found the victims inside:
- A 5-year-old boy and 1-year-old girl dead on the first floor
- Two women and two young men dead in a stairwell
- The gunman dead on the second floor
Police said the gunman was related to seven victims. The eighth victim was a friend of the pregnant woman.
Chief Lorah said investigators will speak with relatives. Detectives will also examine the cellphones of the two women killed outside.
Longtime family friends Nicole Eller and Debra Eller said they knew the family for over 30 years. Nicole Eller said the shooter was a good guy before going downhill.
“They were a lovely family. Who would have thought this would ever happen?” Debra Eller said.
The incident recalled a 1982 massacre in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. In that case, a man killed 13 people, including five of his children.
Erie Mayor Daria Devlin spoke directly to the grieving relatives during a Saturday news conference.
“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.”
Municipal police departments handle local homicide cases and collect crime scene evidence. Detectives conduct family interviews and forensic digital analyses during active investigations. The city of Erie sits about 120 miles north of Pittsburgh.
No further details were released by police.
