A 45-year-old Erie, Pennsylvania man opened fire on his own family Friday before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, leaving eight people dead including his pregnant daughter who was scheduled to give birth that same day.
Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook confirmed the victims included the shooter’s wife Michelle Stone, 44, his pregnant daughter Angelina Stone, 24, and two sons Matthew Stone Jr., 21, and Jonathan Stone, 19. The gunman was identified as Matthew Stone.
Angelina Stone was carrying an unborn child who was due to be born on Monday, the coroner said. All six family members were found inside the Perry Street home where they lived.
Two additional victims were killed outside the residence. Lora Lee Roberts, 37, and Twila A. Tanner, 51, were fatally shot in what authorities described as a devastating scene outside the home.
Roberts had come to the house after receiving a call from Angelina Stone, who needed a ride to the hospital. Roberts brought along her friend Tanner, who lived nearby.
Christine Tombaugh, executive director of the homeless shelter Community of Caring, described Roberts as a deeply compassionate person who dedicated her life to helping others. “Her passion in life was helping others. She had a giving spirit, a beautiful heart” Tombaugh said. “She had a heart for the homeless and people in need.”
Among the dead were also two young children connected to the shooter, a 5-year-old boy and a nearly 2-year-old girl, both found inside the home.
The father of the slain toddler, Juicesiyah Alexander Ezekiel, spoke publicly about his grief after learning of his daughter’s death. “I wouldn’t even put this on my worst enemy” he told local NBC affiliate WICU. “It’s sickening.”
He identified his daughter as Amari’anna, saying she would have turned 2 years old next month. “She’s the most beautiful baby God could have created” he said.
Authorities have not yet publicly disclosed a motive for the attack. The shooting stands as one of the deadliest domestic violence incidents in Erie County’s recent history.
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