Twila Tanner Obituary, Erie, PA, Shooting and Death: 51-Year-Old Woman Remembered After Reportedly Trying to Help During Perry Street Mass Shooting

October 12, 2026

The Erie, Pennsylvania, community is mourning Twila Tanner, 51, who was reportedly killed during the mass shooting at a residence on Perry Street on Friday, October 9, 2026. According to published reports, Tanner and another woman, Lora Roberts, were fatally shot after arriving at the home in an apparent effort to help people caught up in the violence. Source: Associated Press coverage via the New York Post.

The tragedy has left families, friends, and others across Erie grieving. Tanner’s reported actions have drawn attention to the circumstances in which she lost her life, while her loved ones face the pain of an unexpected loss.

Twila Tanner Identified Among the Victims of the Erie Mass Shooting

Twila Tanner was identified in news coverage as one of the victims of the deadly incident. Reports state that she was 51 years old and was among the two women who arrived outside the Perry Street residence shortly before the violence ended.

According to accounts of the incident, Tanner and Roberts appeared to be seeking help or attempting to intervene after gunfire erupted. Both women were reportedly shot outside the residence.

Their deaths have become a significant part of the account of the October 9 tragedy. While the circumstances remain deeply distressing, Tanner’s reported decision to respond to a situation in which others were in danger has been highlighted in coverage of the victims.

What Happened on Perry Street in Erie, Pennsylvania?

Authorities responded to the residence near East 7th and Perry Streets shortly before 5 p.m. on Friday, October 9, after a gunshot-detection alert prompted an emergency response.

Investigators later confirmed that nine people died in the incident, including the suspected gunman. The victims included children, a pregnant woman, other adults, and a family friend. Police said the suspected shooter killed eight people before dying from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation into the circumstances and motive has continued. Source: Reuters.

The shooting has shaken the Erie community because of the number of lives lost and the circumstances described by investigators. Officials have urged care around unverified claims as they continue reviewing evidence and establishing the sequence of events.

Remembering Twila Tanner and Lora Roberts

Tanner was reportedly accompanied by Lora Roberts, 37, who was described in news coverage as a mother of five and a community advocate. Reports indicate that the two women went to the residence as the violence was unfolding and were killed outside.

Their reported efforts to help have become a central part of how their deaths are being described publicly. Their actions also underscore the risks faced by people who attempt to intervene during a dangerous and rapidly developing emergency.

Further personal details about Tanner’s family, background, interests, and life outside the incident have not been established in the information available for this article. Those details deserve to be shared accurately and respectfully, particularly by people who knew her.

Erie Community Grieves After the Deadly Shooting

The mass shooting has left relatives, friends, and community members confronting the loss of several people in a single incident. Each victim had relationships, experiences, and a life beyond the events that brought public attention to their name.

For those mourning Tanner, the circumstances of her reported death may add to the shock and sorrow. During this difficult period, compassionate support, respect for the privacy of loved ones, and reliance on verified information can help prevent additional distress.

Community members may wish to remember Tanner not only through reports about the shooting, but also through the personal memories and relationships that shaped her life.

Twila Tanner Obituary, Cause of Death and Memorial Information

Published reports identify Twila Tanner, 51, as one of the women killed during the Erie mass shooting on October 9, 2026. The reported circumstances indicate that she was shot outside the Perry Street residence after arriving during the unfolding incident.

The information available for this article does not establish funeral arrangements, visitation details, or a memorial service. Those details should be included only when confirmed by her family or an authorized announcement.

As Erie continues to grieve, condolences are extended to Tanner’s loved ones and to everyone affected by the shooting. May Twila Tanner be remembered with dignity and compassion, and may those mourning her find support and comfort in the days ahead.