Authorities have identified the gunman and victims in what Erie police described as a devastating incident in the 700 block of Perry Street. Police responded at around 4:53 p.m. on Friday to a gunfire detection alert, according to the Erie Police Department. Officers found two women dead outside a residence before discovering six more victims and the gunman inside.
Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook identified the shooter as 45-year-old Matthew Stone Sr. He ruled the eight victims' deaths homicides by gunshot wound and the gunman's death a suicide by gunshot wound.
The victims included the shooter's wife, 44-year-old Michelle Stone, and their daughter, 24-year-old Angelina Stone, who was eight months pregnant. Family members told WFXP that Angelina was scheduled to be induced Monday and planned to name her baby Kyrie.
The other adult victims were brothers Jonathan Stone, 19, and Matthew Stone, 21; family friend and neighbor Twila Tanner, 51; and family member Lora Roberts, 37.
Cook is withholding the names of the children and unborn baby, but relatives identified the children as 5-year-old Isiah and 22-month-old Amari'anna, according to WFXP.
Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said at a briefing Saturday that video showed Tanner and Roberts arriving at the home appearing distressed, seeking help from neighbors and pounding on the door. The recording appeared to capture muffled gunfire inside before the suspect came outside and fatally shot both women. Witnesses corroborated that sequence and reported hearing no further shots after he returned inside, Lorah said.
Officers initially did not know whether the gunman remained inside, had fled or was holding anyone hostage. They sought a search warrant and tried to contact people inside, but detected no movement or sounds. Police deployed drones, then SWAT officers breached multiple doors and sent a robot into the home. Officers entered after locating victims inside.
Two children were found on the first floor, and four adult victims were found on the second floor and in the stairwell. The gunman was found dead on the second floor with a firearm on his person.
Investigators determined that everyone inside had died before police arrived. Lorah also addressed reports of gunfire during the police response, saying the sounds came from flashbang devices and chemical munitions used by SWAT.