Erie Police Detail Family-Control, Prior Domestic Case In Nine-Victim Shooting
Erie police said Matthew Stone Sr. killed nine people, including two young children, at a Perry Street home on Oct. 9, 2026, and died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.[1]
Police identified the victims as Michelle Stone, 44; her pregnant daughter Angelina Stone, 24; and sons Jonathan, 19, and Matthew, 21.[1] Two young children, ages 1 and 5, and visitors Lora Roberts, 37, and Twila Tanner, 51, were also killed.[1] Police say Angelina called her aunt at about 4:39 p.m., and the aunt arrived with Tanner within 10 minutes.[1] Gunfire was detected three minutes after their arrival, and SWAT breached a partially barricaded door after 7 p.m.[1]
A 2019 domestic-violence case against Matthew and Michelle Stone involved the same .40-caliber handgun later used in the Oct. 9 shooting, but charges were withdrawn after Michelle changed her statement at a preliminary hearing.[1] Relatives told investigators Matthew Stone Sr. exercised strict control over his wife, children and grandchildren, handling finances and restricting when family members could leave the house.[1] Investigators found messages showing Angelina planned to leave after giving birth, and police reported packed bags and boxes in her bedroom.[1] Detectives described the home as extremely filthy, saying the shower, toilet and kitchen sink were not working and that numerous 2-liter bottles filled with urine were scattered through the house.[1] Family members raised concerns about possible methamphetamine use and mental or physical problems affecting Stone Sr.; police found drug paraphernalia but have not linked drugs clearly to the shooting.[1]
Initial coverage on Oct. 10 simply reported multiple deaths, including two children.[2] On Oct. 15, Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah held a detailed briefing that connected the shooting to family-control dynamics and the 2019 domestic case.[1]
Investigators say the probe is ongoing as officers review messages, forensic evidence and the sequence of events.[1]
Show source details & analysis (2 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- On Thursday, October 15, 2026, Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah gave a detailed briefing describing the Oct. 9 Perry Street shooting and investigators' findings about the family dynamic.
- Police identified the victims as Michelle Stone, 44; her pregnant daughter Angelina Stone, 24; sons Jonathan Stone, 19, and Matthew Stone, 21; two children ages 1 and 5; and visitors Lora Roberts, 37, and Twila Tanner, 51.
- Relatives told investigators that alleged shooter Matthew Stone Sr. exercised significant control over his wife, children and grandchildren — including control of finances and restricting when family members could leave the house — and messages show Angelina planned to leave after giving birth; packed bags and boxes were found in her bedroom.
- Detectives described the Erie home as extremely filthy, reporting a non-working shower, toilet and kitchen sink and numerous 2-liter bottles filled with urine throughout the house.
- Police said a 2019 domestic-violence case involving Matthew and Michelle Stone included the same .40-caliber handgun later used in the Oct. 9 mass shooting, but charges were withdrawn after Michelle changed her statement at a preliminary hearing.
- Family members raised concerns about methamphetamine use and possible mental and physical problems affecting Matthew Stone Sr.; drug paraphernalia was found in the home, though authorities have not established a clear role for drugs in the shooting.
- Police outlined a detailed timeline of Oct. 9, 2026: at about 4:39 p.m. Angelina called her aunt, who arrived with Tanner within 10 minutes; three minutes after their arrival ShotSpotter detected gunfire; and SWAT breached the partially barricaded door after 7 p.m.
- Officers entering the home found the two young children dead on the first floor, Angelina on the stairwell, Michelle and sons Jonathan and Matthew inside, and the suspect Matthew Stone Sr. dead on the second floor of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- On Thursday, October 15, 2026, Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah gave a detailed briefing describing the Oct. 9 Perry Street shooting and the suspect's control over his family.
- Police identified the victims as Michelle Stone, 44; pregnant daughter Angelina Stone, 24; sons Jonathan Stone, 19, and Matthew Stone, 21; two children ages 1 and 5; and visitors Lora Roberts, 37, and Twila Tanner, 51.
- Relatives told investigators that alleged shooter Matthew Stone Sr. exercised significant control over his wife, children, and grandchildren, including controlling finances and restricting when family members could leave the house.
- Detectives described the Erie home as extremely filthy, with non-working shower, toilet and kitchen sink and numerous 2-liter bottles filled with urine throughout the house.
- Police said a 2019 domestic-violence case involving Matthew and Michelle Stone included the same .40 caliber handgun later used in the Oct. 9 mass shooting, but charges were withdrawn after Michelle changed her statement at a preliminary hearing.
- Family members raised concerns about Stone Sr.'s possible mental health and physical problems and suspected substance abuse, including methamphetamine; drug paraphernalia was found in the home though no clear role in the shooting has been established.
- Chief Lorah said messages show pregnant victim Angelina Stone planned to leave the home after giving birth and had reported her father was physically abusive to her brothers; packed bags and boxes were found in her bedroom.
- Police outlined a detailed shooting timeline: at about 4:39 p.m. on October 9, 2026, Angelina called her aunt, who arrived with Tanner within 10 minutes; three minutes after their arrival ShotSpotter detected gunfire, and SWAT breached the partially barricaded door after 7 p.m.
- Officers entering the home found the two young children dead on the first floor, Angelina on the stairwell, Michelle and sons Jonathan and Matthew inside, and suspect Matthew Stone Sr. dead on the second floor of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.