The short version
- Matthew Stone Sr. was identified as the shooter in the attack that left eight dead, including six named adults and two young children.
- Investigators found evidence of distress calls from outside the home before the gunman exited to kill two women who were not relatives.
- Police are examining potential mental health factors while withholding specific motives pending further review of digital communications.
Erie County coroner Lyell Cook released the identities of the perpetrator and six of the eight victims in a deadly shooting that occurred at a residence in Erie, Pennsylvania. The attack, which unfolded on Friday, resulted in the deaths of seven relatives and one non-relative before the gunman took his own life inside the home. Police Chief Rick Lorah confirmed that Matthew Stone Sr., 45, was responsible for the violence.
The victims included Michelle Stone, 44; Angelina Stone, 24; Jonathan Stone, 19; and Matthew Stone Jr., 21. Two other women, Lora Roberts, 37, and Twila Tanner, 51, were also killed but lived at different addresses. State privacy laws prevented the coroner from releasing the names of two young children who died in the incident: a five-year-old boy and a one-year-old girl.
Julius Windham, speaking at a memorial service, identified his daughter Amarianna as the toddler who was killed. He noted that Angelina Stone was the mother of both the young boy and the girl, and described the shooter as the grandfather and patriarch of the family. This familial connection underscores the intimate nature of the tragedy, which struck at the core of a multi-generational household.
Lora Roberts, who was engaged to be married and a mother of five, had a history of community involvement in Erie. Friends described her as a volunteer and former board member for an organization assisting homeless individuals. She had recently expressed concern over local violence on social media, posting a message urging residents to check on loved ones and choose kindness amid recent shootings in the area.
Investigative efforts have turned to digital evidence to reconstruct the final moments before the deaths. Video and audio recordings recovered by police captured muffled gunshots from inside the house just before two women arrived at the scene. These individuals, described as distressed, began pounding on the door before the gunman emerged and shot them as they attempted to flee.
Roberts and Tanner were killed outside the residence, marking a distinct phase of the attack separate from the deaths inside. The police chief indicated that investigators are reviewing cellphones belonging to the women who died outside to understand their presence at the scene and any communications leading up to the violence. This line of inquiry aims to clarify whether they were aware of the danger inside.
While no specific motive has been officially established, Chief Lorah suggested that mental health issues may have played a role in Stone’s actions. Authorities plan to speak with additional relatives and continue examining digital records to build a complete picture of the events. The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to determine if any warning signs were missed.
The incident has drawn attention to broader concerns about violence in Erie, a city located approximately 120 miles north of Pittsburgh. Community members are grappling with the loss of individuals who were active in local support networks and family life. The release of names provides closure for some while highlighting the devastating impact on extended families and friends.
As the investigation proceeds, law enforcement agencies are coordinating to ensure all evidence is properly analyzed. The focus remains on understanding the sequence of events and the factors that led to such a severe outcome. Residents continue to mourn the victims, including those whose identities remain protected by state law due to their young age.
The case illustrates the complex challenges faced by investigators in mass casualty events involving family members. Balancing transparency with privacy concerns is critical, especially when minors are involved. The community awaits further updates as authorities complete their review of physical and digital evidence from the scene.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- PBS NewsHour↗Authorities name the gunman and most of the 8 victims in last week's Erie mass shooting
