The community of Erie, Pennsylvania is reeling after a horrific shooting on Friday afternoon claimed the lives of eight people, including an expectant mother who was just days away from her due date. Angelina Stone, 26, was killed alongside her young children—5-year-old Isiah, her daughter Amari’anna, and her unborn baby, Kyrie—in what authorities are calling a murder-suicide. The incident unfolded shortly before 5 p.m. on the 700 block of Perry Road.
A community in mourning
Loved ones and family members have shared their grief, describing the victims as innocent and beautiful. Family friend Lisa Simmers expressed the shock of the community, noting that the children, some of whom were on the spectrum, were defenseless. The gunman, who police confirmed died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, has been identified by relatives as Stone's father. While police have not officially named the shooter, Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah described the scene as the worst he has ever experienced, suggesting that mental health issues played a role in the event.
The aftermath
Juicesiyah Alexander Ezekiel, the father of Amari’anna, is among those grieving the loss. He shared his heartbreak over the situation, having moved away from the area previously to escape the cycle of violence. When police arrived on the scene after being alerted by the city’s ShotSpotter system, they found a standoff in progress. Inside, they discovered multiple victims across the home's two floors. Eight of those who died were related, with the ninth victim identified as a family friend. It’s giving total devastation, and the vibes are off across the entire city. Real talk, this is a tragedy that is hard to comprehend.
Why it matters
This horrific event highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence and the urgent need for mental health support, leaving a community searching for answers after an unthinkable loss of life.
