Full Breakdown
Tragedy on Perry Street: A Grandfather’s Murder-Suicide Claims Nine Lives in Erie
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On a Friday evening in early October 2026, 45-year-old Matthew Stone Sr. opened fire at a residence on Perry Street in Erie, Pennsylvania. Police say he killed seven relatives and a family friend before turning the gun on himself. Victims included a pregnant daughter, two toddlers, two adult sons, his wife, and two women outside the home.
Background & Context
The Stone family lived at 722 Perry St. Police records show the last known contact with Matthew Stone Sr. was in 2022; the nature of that interaction has not been disclosed. Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah suggested mental-health issues may have played a role, though a motive remains unconfirmed.
Timeline
- Friday evening (early October) – ShotSpotter alerts police; officers arrive within minutes.
- Minutes after arrival – Two women, ages 51 and 37, are found dead outside the home.
- Subsequent entry – Using a robot and a SWAT breach, police discover a 5-year-old boy, a 22-month-old girl, and four adults inside; the shooter is found dead on the second floor.
- Oct. 10, 2026 – City officials hold a news conference; Lorah confirms all victims were deceased before police entered.
- Oct. 11, 2026 – Mayor Daria Devlin and Governor Josh Shapiro issue statements of condolence; a candlelight vigil is held.
- Oct. 12, 2026 – Coroner Lyell Cook releases the adult victims’ names and confirms the shooter’s identity.
Data & Statistics
- Total dead: nine (eight victims + shooter).
- Adult victims: Michelle Stone 44 (wife), Angelina Stone 24 (pregnant), Jonathan Stone 19, Matthew Stone Jr. 21, Twila Tanner 51 (family friend), Lora Roberts 37 (family friend).
- Children: a 5-year-old boy and a 22-month-old girl, both grandchildren.
- Unborn child: the fetus of Angelina Stone was not counted among the nine deaths.
Official Statements & Responses
- Coroner Lyell Cook ruled the shooter’s death a suicide and classified the other deaths as homicides.
- Governor Josh Shapiro expressed that his “heart breaks for this family” and offered state support.
- Mayor Daria Devlin pledged community resources and urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information.
- District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz warned against rumors that could “add to the pain” of grieving families.
- Archbishop Dwane Brock called for action on gun violence and mental-health awareness.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this tragedy.” — Rick Lorah
On-the-Ground Reports
Surveillance video captured the two women pounding on the front door before the gunfire. At a memorial, Julius Windham described his loss, saying, “Words can’t even explain what I’m going through right now.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Unborn child: Some outlets counted the fetus as a separate victim; the coroner clarified it was not included in the nine-person toll.
- Names withheld: State law prevented release of the children’s names, and the shooter’s name was initially withheld pending family notification.
Why It Matters
The massacre has reverberated through Erie, prompting renewed calls for mental-health resources and stricter gun-violence prevention measures. Local nonprofits have launched fundraising efforts, and city officials are coordinating crisis-counseling services.
What’s Next
Police continue to process evidence, including recovered cell phones and the shooter’s .40-caliber handgun. The investigation remains active, with community support services and crisis hotlines available as families and neighbors grapple with the aftermath.
