Lora Roberts, 37, and Twila Tanner, 51, went to a home in Erie, Pennsylvania, hoping to help someone they cared about, but neither woman returned. The two friends were among nine people killed in a devastating shooting on October 9, 2026, leaving their families and community struggling with an unimaginable loss. Roberts was a devoted mother of five who had been engaged to her longtime fiancé, Jeremy, for 14 years. Friends remembered her as a beautiful soul who cared deeply about others and had volunteered with Community of Caring, an Erie nonprofit supporting people experiencing homelessness. Tanner was also a loving mother and grandmother whose sudden death left her children and grandchildren grieving. According to the women’s family fundraising campaigns, Roberts had gone to the residence in an effort to help her niece escape an abusive situation, and Tanner accompanied her friend to offer support. Their reported reason for being there has added a heartbreaking dimension to the tragedy, suggesting that the women were trying to protect someone they loved when the violence unfolded. Their families are now raising money to help cover funeral expenses and support the children left behind.

Authorities were alerted shortly before 5 p.m. after a gunshot-detection system reported gunfire near the residence on Perry Street. When officers arrived, they encountered an eerily silent scene and used drones, a robot, and tactical teams to assess the danger before entering the home. Investigators discovered nine victims and the suspected gunman, who authorities said had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police reported that eight of the victims were related, while the ninth was a family friend. Among those killed were Angelina Stone, 24, who was eight months pregnant, and her two young children. Officials have continued examining evidence, including surveillance footage, witness accounts, and cellphone information, to establish what happened and what the victims may have known beforehand. Police have cautioned that it is too early to determine the motive. Meanwhile, fundraising campaigns have highlighted the devastating impact on both women’s families. Roberts’ fundraiser had collected $11,166 toward a $15,000 goal, while Tanner’s had raised $2,068 toward $10,000 when the reported figures were gathered. Their final reported mission was an attempt to help someone facing danger, and their loved ones are left mourning two women whose lives were cut short while trying to stand beside others.