Gunman kills eight people and himself at Erie Pennsylvania home

A man shot and killed eight people before taking his own life at a home in Erie, Pennsylvania. DW, rte.ie, and Reuters all report that the gunman killed eight victims and then turned the weapon on himself. DW noted that the shooter was a 45-year-old man who died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound before authorities arrived at the scene. [1][2][5]

Police in Erie responded to reports of gunfire and found two deceased women in the street, according to rte.ie. The gunman barricaded himself inside the house as officers surrounded the property. Further shots were fired during the standoff before police entered the home. [2]

The victims included a pregnant woman and two young children, aged one and five, DW reported. Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said seven of the eight victims were relatives of the gunman, while the eighth person was a family friend. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro offered support to the city following the attack. [1]

In the United States, mass shootings are defined as incidents where four or more victims are killed or injured. Up to September 30, 2026, firearm violence had caused 361 deaths and 1,553 injuries across 365 mass shooting events in the country. [8]