Nine people have been confirmed dead following a mass shooting in Erie, Pennsylvania, in the United States, Governor Josh Shapiro said on Saturday.
The shooting occurred late on Friday, with investigators determining that all nine victims had died before police officers arrived at the scene, according to a statement issued by the city of Erie.
Shapiro said he had spoken with Erie Mayor Daria Devlin and offered the state government’s full support following the incident.
“I’ve spoken with Mayor Devlin and offered my Administration’s full support following the tragic mass shooting in Erie last night killing nine of our fellow Pennsylvanians,” Shapiro wrote in a post on X.
Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah described the scene as one of the most difficult he had encountered during his tenure.
“The loss of life is devastating, and the circumstances we are working through are deeply disturbing,” Lorah said.
He added that investigators were still working to establish the motive for the shooting.
The city said a news conference was scheduled for Saturday as authorities continued their investigation.
