Father of toddler killed in Erie mass shooting says gunman was family patriarch

Julius Windham, whose one‑year‑old daughter was among eight victims, told reporters on Oct. 11 that the 45‑year‑old gunman who killed his family acted as the household’s patriarch and showed no outward signs of distress before the attack.

**What occurred and when?**

The shooting took place in a residence in [Erie, Pennsylvania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erie,_Pennsylvania) shortly before 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct.

1. Eight people were killed, including Windham’s daughter Amarianna, her pregnant mother, a five‑year‑old half‑brother and the unborn sibling.

**Who was the shooter?**

Authorities have not released the gunman’s name, but [Erie Police](https://www.eriepa.gov/police) Chief Rick Lorah confirmed he was 45 years old, related to seven of the victims, and that the eighth victim was a friend of the pregnant woman. The shooter later took his own life.

**How did the incident unfold?**

Investigators recovered audio showing muffled gunshots from inside the home just before two distressed women arrived and began pounding on the door. The gunman emerged, shot the women as they fled, and then returned inside.

**What did officers find inside?**

First‑responders discovered the two women dead outside. Using a drone and a robot, they entered the house and located the bodies of the 5‑year‑old boy and the 1‑year‑old girl on the first floor, two women and two young men in a stairwell, and the shooter on the second floor.

**What did the police chief say?**

“Out of respect for the victims and the families, I will not discuss the details of what our officers encountered inside that home,” Chief Lorah said at a news conference. He added, “I want our community to understand the gravity of what happened and the profound impact this tragedy has had on those involved and on our community as a whole.”

**What did the father observe?**

Windham reflected, “I think that was a front for him,” noting the gunman’s seemingly normal behavior. He continued, “Him every day, him smiling and being just — you would think of nothing like that would happen.”