A tragic event unfolded in Erie, Pennsylvania, where a mass shooting claimed the lives of eight individuals, including the gunman’s pregnant daughter. Matthew Stone, 45, reportedly opened fire within his home, killing six family members and two neighbors before taking his own life, as confirmed by the local coroner’s office.
The deceased included Stone’s wife, Michelle, aged 44, and their 24-year-old daughter, Angelina, who was due to give birth on the day of the shooting. The coroner, Lyell Cook, provided details to NBC News, highlighting the devastating impact of this incident.
In addition to the two mentioned, the victims also included Stone’s two sons, Matthew Jr. and Jonathan, aged 21 and 19 respectively. Tragically, Angelina was carrying an unborn child at the time of the shooting. Cook noted that the unborn fetus was expected to be born on the same day.
Among the other victims were two young children related to Stone: a 5-year-old boy and a nearly 2-year-old girl, both of whom were found deceased inside the residence. The neighbors, 51-year-old Twila Tanner and 37-year-old Lora Lee Roberts, were also fatally shot outside the Stone family home.
As the community grapples with this heartbreaking incident, Juicesiyah Alexander Ezekiel, the father of one of the young victims, expressed his disbelief and sorrow over the loss. He referred to his daughter, Amari’anna, who was just a month shy of her second birthday, as the “most beautiful baby God could have created.”
This tragic occurrence has left many questioning the motivations behind such violence, as the community mourns the loss of innocent lives and seeks answers in the aftermath of this horrific event.
Photo credit: Greg Wohlford
