Who is Erie shooting suspect Matthew Stone, and why did he allegedly kill his family? What we know so far
Erie Family Shooting Leaves Nine Dead as Police Seek Motive
Bharatmorningnews.com – Authorities in Erie, Pennsylvania, are investigating a devastating family shooting that left nine people dead, including the suspected gunman. The deaths occurred at a Perry Street home on Friday, October 9, in a case that has deeply shaken the local community.
Matthew Stone, 45, has been identified as the suspected shooter. Investigators say he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after seven relatives and a family friend were killed. Police have not disclosed what may have led to the violence, and the motive remains under investigation.
Family members were among those killed
Stone was married to Michelle Stone, 44, and was the father of Angelina Stone, 24, Matthew Stone II, 19, and Jonathan Stone, 21. Family members described him as the household’s patriarch.
The victims included Michelle Stone; Angelina Stone, who was also known online as Dej Shanti; Matthew Stone II; and Jonathan Stone. Angelina’s 5-year-old son, Isiah Hodges, and her 22-month-old daughter, Amari’anna, were also killed.
Angelina was pregnant with a son whom she planned to name Kyrie. She was four days away from giving birth when the shooting occurred.
Two other victims, Michelle’s sister Lora Roberts, 37, and family friend Twila Tanner, 51, had gone to the residence after becoming concerned about relatives inside. Both women were killed outside the home.
Police describe events before officers arrived
Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said the killings had already taken place by the time officers reached the scene, only minutes after the emergency call. No additional gunfire was heard after police arrived.
Stone was found with a handgun registered in his name, police said. Seven of the eight victims were related to him, while the remaining victim was a close friend of the family.
Investigators reviewed video that appeared to show Roberts and Tanner arriving at the property, hearing signs of distress, seeking help from neighbors and striking the home’s door before gunfire was heard from inside.
“Video evidence reviewed by investigators shows those two women arriving at the residence, hearing distress, seeking assistance from neighbors and pounding on the door. The audio video also appears to capture muffled gunfire from inside the residence before the suspect emerged and fatally shot both women.”
Police said two women were found dead outside the residence. Inside, a 5-year-old boy and a 1-year-old girl were found on the first floor, while four adults were located on the second floor and in the stairwell. Reports identifying the younger child as Amari’anna described her as 22 months old.
“Some scenes some scenes stay with you long after you leave them. This is one of those tragic scenes.”
A community confronts an unimaginable loss
The case has drawn grief from relatives, friends and neighbors struggling to understand what unfolded inside the home. No public explanation has been offered for why Stone allegedly targeted members of his own family.
Lisa Simmers, a family friend, spoke of the two young children killed in the attack and the anguish felt by people outside the house who could not intervene.
“Her two babies were on the spectrum. Innocent children, couldn’t have told on that man if they wanted to, and he still killed them.”
“It’s mind-blowing to me to understand what was happening in that house while we were standing outside. The feeling of helplessness and knowing we couldn’t do anything and she was right there.”
Simmers also remembered Angelina and her children as a young family with another baby soon to arrive.
“She was pregnant, about to have her baby in a couple of days. She had a daughter that was almost two, and her son Isiah, who I believe was like four or five, and they were all just beautiful. Beautiful children. And definitely did not deserve what happened to them.”
Investigators continue to examine evidence from the home and reconstruct the sequence of events. Until authorities release further findings, the reason for the killings remains unknown. The case stands as a tragic loss for multiple generations of one family and for the people who rushed to help them.
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