9 Dead in Erie, Pennsylvania Shooting; Gunman Reportedly Grandfather of Slain Child
A mass shooting in Erie, Pennsylvania, on the 9th claimed the lives of nine people—including two young children, a pregnant woman, and the gunman himself. Although police have not yet officially released the identities of the shooter and the victims, local media have reported that the gunman was the pregnant woman’s biological father and the maternal grandfather of the two young children.
Citing local outlet Erie News Now, the Daily Mail reported that the 45-year-old gunman (whose identity has not been publicly disclosed) shot and killed family members living with him at a residence in Erie around 5 p.m. on the 9th. The victims included 24-year-old Angelina Stone (who was pregnant), her unborn fetus (Kyrie), 5-year-old Isaiah, and Amari’anna, who was nearly two years old.
After committing the crime, the gunman took his own life. Juicesiyah Alexander Ezekiel, the father of the young girl Amari’anna, tearfully confirmed to Erie News Now that the shooter was Stone’s father: “That was my baby, and he just took her life like that. Her name was Amari’anna; she was the most beautiful baby God ever created.”
Reports indicate that on the day of the incident, the Erie Police Department received an alert from the “ShotSpotter” gunshot detection system and immediately dispatched officers to the scene. They first discovered the bodies of two women outside the house; upon entering, they found three additional victims—a 19-year-old male, a 21-year-old male, and a 44-year-old female. Police have not yet officially released the identities of the gunman or the deceased. According to a GoFundMe page, Lora Roberts (37) and her friend Twila Tanner (51)—who died outside the home—lost their lives while attempting to protect children. “On October 9 in Erie, Pennsylvania, Tanner tragically lost her life while bravely helping a friend shield her family from a violent threat; in a moment of courage and selflessness, Tanner put herself in harm’s way to help others.”