A quiet neighborhood in Erie, Pennsylvania, was shaken by a mass shooting that left eight people dead — including two children — before the suspected gunman apparently died by suicide, according to local reports.
Police were called yesterday after receiving reports of shots fired, and officers arriving at the scene found two women dead in the street, Erie News Now reported.
Authorities said the shooter then barricaded himself inside a home, prompting officers to surround the building and repeatedly order him to come out.
During the standoff, additional gunfire rang out, Erie News Now said.
After officers eventually entered the residence, they discovered several more victims in and around the home.
The suspected gunman was found with what police described as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, the outlet reported, citing authorities.
In the aftermath, Erie News Now said counseling was being made available to officers who responded to the scene as they grappled with the scale of the violence.
“I have not seen anything like this in my 28-plus years,” Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said.
“I’m not sure that the city of Erie has ever seen the loss of life and the devastation that we just witnessed.”
Mr Lorah declined to release further information but said the circumstances surrounding the shooting were “deeply disturbing”.
The mayor was expected to address the public in an afternoon press conference.
Late on social media, the city of Erie said the suspected shooter was dead and that there was no threat to the public.
