Erie Police SWAT officers enter residence where nine people died in tragedy
Investigators reveal nine people died in tragedy inside residence breached by Erie Police SWAT officers. Before officers entered, one suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officials say reports of gunshots during the raid were actually flash bang devices and chemical munitions used by SWAT during the operation.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The man who killed eight people, including a pregnant woman and two young children, in Erie, Pennsylvania, was a grandfather who did not appear upset before the massacre, according to the victims’ relatives.
“I think it was a front for him,” Julius Windham said Sunday as he stood at a memorial for the victims, including his 1-year-old daughter, Amarianna, her pregnant mother, the woman’s 5-year-old son and her unborn baby.
“Him every day, him smiling and just being — you would think nothing like that would happen,” Windham said.
NINE PEOPLE KILLED IN PENNSYLVANIA SHOOTING; Suspected shooter found dead: REPORT
Julius Windham visits a memorial outside the home where authorities say a gunman killed several people, including Windham’s daughter, in Erie, Pa., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
The 45-year-old shooter died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after Friday night’s shooting, Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said. Authorities have not publicly identified the shooter or the victims, but Lorah said the shooter was linked to seven of the eight people killed. The eighth victim was a friend of the pregnant woman.
Nicole and Debra Eller, whose best friend was among the victims, said they had known the family for more than 30 years.
Nicole Eller said the shooter “was a good guy, and then he started going downhill with everything.”
“They were a lovely family. Who knew this would ever happen?” » Debra Eller said. “Oh my God, this is so upsetting. This should never have happened to her or her children or anyone. Her grandchildren, her children, how can you do this?”
IOWA man suspected of killing 6 family members in ‘act of evil’
Firefighters clean up blood outside a home at 722 Perry Street in Erie, Pennsylvania, after eight people were killed in an apparent domestic dispute on October 10, 2026. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
Mourners gathered Sunday outside the home where the shooting took place, leaving candles, flowers and stuffed animals. Windham wore a T-shirt showing photos of the women and children killed, along with the words “Forever In My Heart.”
“Words can’t even explain what I’m going through right now,” Windham said. “But I have to be strong for my community, you know what I’m saying? My family, my daughters, my sons, everyone.”
Investigators recovered video and audio evidence that included muffled gunshots from inside the home shortly before two women arrived “in distress” and began banging on the door, Lorah said. The shooter then came out and shot the women as they ran toward him before going back inside.
MONTANA MAN WHO KILLED 4 CHILDREN, 4 OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS AT SUNDAY DINNER WAS ASKED TO MOVE: PARENT
A pregnant Pennsylvania woman who was about to give birth and her two young children were among eight victims killed in a mass shooting at an Erie home Friday, according to authorities and local reports. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images and GoFundMe)
Officers arrived minutes after receiving an alert via ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system, police said. No more shots were fired after police arrived, Lorah said, adding that sounds later mistaken for gunshots came from flash-bang devices used by SWAT officers.
Responding officers found both women dead outside the home. After deploying a drone and a robot, police entered and found the bodies of the 5-year-old boy and the 1-year-old girl on the first floor; two other women and two young men in a stairwell; and the shooter on the second floor.
“Out of respect for the victims and their families, I will not discuss the details of what our officers encountered inside that home,” Lorah said at a news conference. “But I want our community to understand the seriousness of what happened and the profound impact this tragedy has had on those involved and our community as a whole.”
8 FAMILY MEMBERS, INCLUDING 6 CHILDREN, FOUND DEAD IN FIRE IN MICHIGAN; AT LEAST ONE VICTIM SHOT: POLICE
The home at 722 Perry Street is in Erie, Pennsylvania, after eight people were killed in an apparent domestic dispute on October 10, 2026, the city of Erie announced Saturday. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
Lorah declined to discuss a possible motive, but suggested mental health could be a factor. He said investigators would interview relatives and examine cellphones of women killed outside the home.
“They knew something was going on in that house,” Lorah said. “We need to find out what it is.”
Lorah said the scene was devastating for first responders.
“Some scenes stay with you long after you’ve left them. It’s one of those tragic scenes,” he said.
AUDIO DISPATCH RELEASED IN MICHIGAN FAMILY MURDER-SUICIDE AS SECRETS OF TROUBLED FAMILY EMERGE
Erie Police responded to the 700 block of Perry Street on October 9, 2026, following reports of two women shot outside of a residence. (Erie Police Department)
Erie Mayor Daria Devlin said the police department “arrived at a horrific scene, faced unimaginable circumstances and carried out their duties with courage and professionalism.”
“They too are members of this community, and they too will bear the brunt of what happened last night,” Devlin said at a news conference Saturday, speaking directly to the victims’ families: “I am deeply sorry. What happened to you was horrible, and there is nothing any of us can say today that will make this easier.
“Our entire community is with you, we are grieving with you. And we are here to support you.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he spoke with Devlin and offered his administration’s “full support” after what he called “the tragic mass shooting.” Speaking later at a campaign rally outside Philadelphia, Shapiro also referenced the shooting of two Philadelphia police officers earlier Saturday.
PHILADELPHIA POLICE OFFICER KILLED, PARTNER SHOT 12 TIMES IN AMBUSH; SUSPECT FOUND HIDDEN IN A TREE
“Today was a somber day across the Commonwealth,” Shapiro said.
District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz urged the public not to spread unverified information as investigators continue their work.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“Please do not allow rumors, speculation or unverified information to add to the pain these families are already experiencing,” Hirz said.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Gn usa
