Erie, Pennsylvania

A mass shooting at a home in Erie, Pennsylvania, left eight people dead Friday evening, including young children, before the 45-year-old gunman took his own life. Police say the shooter, whose name has not been released, was related to seven of the eight victims and was described by relatives as the family's patriarch and a grandfather who showed no outward signs of distress.

Among the dead were a 1-year-old girl, her pregnant mother, the mother's 5-year-old son and an unborn baby, as well as a friend of the pregnant woman. Investigators said muffled gunshots were heard inside the home before two women arrived, were shot outside as they approached, and died there; officers later found additional victims inside, including the shooter. Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah declined to discuss a motive but said investigators are examining victims' cellphones and speaking with relatives, noting mental health may be a factor. Local officials, including Erie's mayor, offered condolences as the community mourned at a growing memorial outside the home.

Gov. Josh Shapiro and Republican challenger Stacy Garrity met Wednesday night in the only scheduled televised debate of the Pennsylvania governor's race, ahead of the Nov. 3 election. The hourlong forum, hosted by abc27 and moderated by anchor Dennis Owens, aired across several Nexstar-owned stations statewide and streamed online. Libertarian candidate Ken Krawchuk was not invited.

Shapiro, a popular incumbent and potential 2028 presidential contender, enters the race with a large fundraising and polling lead, touting first-term accomplishments including infrastructure repairs, business recruitment, and utility cost caps. Garrity, the state treasurer and Trump-endorsed Republican seeking to become Pennsylvania's first female governor, used the debate to raise her profile and press Shapiro on affordability, school choice, and his handling of a sexual harassment settlement involving a former aide. Both candidates have faced scrutiny over shifting positions on data center development, a contentious issue with bipartisan voter opposition. Shapiro's campaign has sought to tie Garrity closely to Trump, while she has pushed back on characterizations of her 2020 election comments. Analysts note debates rarely shift outcomes in races with such a wide polling gap.