This story has moved on: Nine dead including pregnant woman and children in Pennsylvania shooting

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 13:07 · Archive

A 45-year-old man killed eight people, including seven relatives and a friend, in Erie, Pennsylvania on Friday before taking his own life.

A 45-year-old man opened fire in a home in Erie, Pennsylvania on Friday evening, killing eight people before taking his own life. The gunman was related to seven of the victims. The eighth was a friend of a pregnant woman who was killed, along with her unborn baby, a 1-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son.

Julius Windham, whose 1-year-old daughter Amarianna was among those killed, said the gunman was a grandfather who appeared normal and smiled regularly. "I think that was a front for him," Windham said at a memorial on Sunday. "Him every day, him smiling and being just — you would think of nothing like that would happen." Nicole and Debra Eller, who knew the family for more than 30 years, told Fox News the gunman "was a good guy, and then he started going downhill."

Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said investigators recovered video and audio evidence showing muffled gunshot sounds before two distressed women arrived and pounded on the door. The gunman shot them as they ran towards him, then returned inside. Responding officers found the two women dead outside the home.

Authorities have not released the gunman's name, the names of the victims, or disclosed a motive for the shooting. Mourners gathered Sunday at the home, leaving candles, flowers and stuffed animals.

How it is being reported

• Pennsylvania gunman who killed 8 was grandfather who seemed normal, victim relatives sayThe Erie, Pennsylvania, gunman was a "good guy" before he "started going downhill," killing eight people and himself, a friend of a victim said.Fox News · 12 Oct, 12:38
• Pennsylvania shooter who killed 8 was family’s patriarch, father of toddler killed saysA gunman killed eight people, including seven relatives, in Erie, Pennsylvania, before taking his own life. Police are seeking a motive.New York Post · 12 Oct, 12:18

In this story: Erie, Pennsylvania · Julius Windham · Erie Police

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