<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Nine people are dead in Pennsylvania after a gunman opened fire on Friday in Erie, according to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Two children were among those killed in the mass shooting. Witnesses reported seeing a man firing a gun before he entered a home on Perry Street around 5 p.m. on Friday. Two women were shot outside the home, and additional victims were found dead inside the residence. Police stated that the suspect was also found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Eight were initially reported dead, with the total rising to nine when including the shooter.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah described the incident as the worst he has encountered in nearly three decades of law enforcement. Authorities indicated that all shots were fired before police arrived on the scene and that an ongoing investigation is looking into the motive behind the shooting. An update on the incident is expected during a press conference at 4 p.m.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Lorah stated, "The loss of life is devastating, and the circumstances we are working through are deeply disturbing." </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Governor Shapiro referred to the incident as a "tragic mass shooting" in a statement on Saturday morning. He emphasized, "We will not speculate about a motive, or at least information that could compromise this investigation."</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Shapiro mentioned that he had spoken to Erie Mayor Daria Devlin about the incident and offered his administration's full support.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Lorah expressed condolences, stating, "There are no words that can adequately express the magnitude of the loss of life here. Out of respect for the victims and their loved ones, I will not discuss the specific details of what our officers encountered today. Our investigators are working diligently as we speak to establish the full circumstances of what occurred. We will not speculate about a motive or any information that could compromise this investigation."</p>