Erie police detail years of control and neglect in fatal family shooting

Key points

• Matthew Stone Sr. killed eight people, including his pregnant daughter Angelina Stone, 24, who was scheduled for induction shortly after the shooting.
• Police stated Stone controlled family finances, including Supplemental Security Income, and restricted when members could leave the home or visit relatives.
• The home on Perry Street was found to be 'extremely filthy,' with broken plumbing and numerous 2-liter bottles filled with urine.
• A 2019 domestic violence incident involving the same .40 caliber handgun used in the shooting occurred, but charges were withdrawn after the victim changed her statement.
• Angelina Stone had filed to change her last name to pursue a medical career and had packed belongings, indicating plans to leave the home.
• Stone was found on the second floor with a self-inflicted gunshot wound; no other suspects were identified.

Background

This incident follows a pattern of domestic violence and family isolation. In 2019, Stone was charged with domestic violence against his wife, Michelle Stone, using the same firearm. Charges were dropped after she changed her statement. The family had no other reported incidents, but concerns about mental health and substance abuse were raised. The 2026 shooting occurred in a home that authorities described as squalid, with non-functional plumbing and urine-filled bottles, suggesting long-term neglect. The victims included two visitors, Lora Roberts and Twila Tanner, who arrived to help Angelina Stone, who had called for assistance via Facebook Messenger shortly before the shooting.

How outlets are covering it

AP News reported that Stone controlled the family's money and movements, emphasizing the financial and physical control. CBS News highlighted the 'controlling patriarch' aspect and the 'extremely filthy' conditions of the home, noting the 2019 domestic violence incident and the dropped charges. WTAE focused on the years of warning signs, including the 2019 incident and the controlling behavior, and detailed the timeline of the shooting, including Angelina's call for help and the arrival of the two visitors. All sources agree on the basic facts but differ in emphasis: AP focuses on control, CBS on the patriarchal and squalid conditions, and WTAE on the timeline and warning signs.

Why it matters

This case highlights the dangers of long-term domestic control and isolation, where victims may be unable to seek help or leave. The 'extremely filthy' conditions and non-functional plumbing suggest a level of neglect that may have gone unnoticed by authorities. The 2019 domestic violence incident, though charges were dropped, indicates a pattern of abuse that could have been addressed earlier. The case also raises questions about the role of mental health and substance abuse in such incidents, though no definitive link was established. The community's response, including Mayor Daria Devlin's call for systemic changes, underscores the need for better support for families experiencing domestic violence and isolation.

What to watch

Erie Mayor Daria Devlin has begun conversations with healthcare leaders and community organizations to support families experiencing domestic violence and isolation. The city is focusing on healing the Perry Street neighborhood and ensuring that other families in the community do not fall through the cracks. No further legal proceedings are expected, as Stone died by self-inflicted gunshot. The community is mourning the victims and calling for systemic changes to prevent similar incidents.