Several people were killed, including two children and a pregnant woman, after a gunman opened fire inside a Pennsylvania home Friday evening.
Officers were dispatched to the 700 block of Perry Street in Erie, Pennsylvania, at about 5 p.m. following reports of a shooting, Erie News Now reported.
When police arrived, they found two women suffering from fatal gunshot wounds in the roadway outside the residence, according to the news outlet.
The suspected shooter, who was armed with a handgun, barricaded himself inside the house, prompting a standoff with a SWAT team.
Video obtained by Erie News Now showed that several shots were fired inside the home during the standoff.
The gunman, whose identity has not been released, died from what police described as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
After the standoff ended, officers entered the residence and found additional victims throughout the house. One of those killed was pregnant, the outlet reported.
CONTINUE READING: WATCH: IDF Forces in Disguise Raid Hospital and Kill Hamas Leader, Pro-Hamas Libs Freak Out – NewsFinale
Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah declined to provide details about the scene, citing respect for the victims.
Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive or released further information about the shooting.
Investigators have also not determined what relationship, if any, the gunman had with the victims.
Police described the scene as one of the most horrific the city has ever faced.
“I want to be candid with our community: This is one of the most difficult and heartbreaking scenes that our officers and investigators have ever encountered,” Lorah told reporters.
“The loss of life is devastating, and the circumstances we are working through are deeply disturbing.”
Lorah confirmed that the shooter was dead but did not provide a total number of victims. Erie News Now reported that nine people had died.
“Based on the information currently available to us, there is no ongoing threat to the public. Our hearts are with the victims, their families and everyone affected by this tragedy. There are no words that can adequately express the magnitude of the loss of life here,” Lorah said.