Nine dead after shooting in Pennsylvania

ERIE, Penn. (NBC, KYMA) - Nine people have died, including the suspected shooter, after a standoff situation and shooting in Erie, Pennsylvania Friday night.

Officers responded to the scene around 5 p.m. Eastern Friday night after reports of shots being fired outside of a home on Perry Street.

On the scene, police initially found two woman dead in the street.

Witnesses said a man fired a handgun outside of that home before he entered the residence.

The situation escalated into a standoff as Erie Police and SWAT teams surrounded the building.

Additional gunshots were heard inside during the standoff, and when police entered the house they found additional victims, including children.

Police said the suspected shooter was also found inside with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah described the scene as one of the most difficult and heartbreaking scenes he has encountered.