Several people were killed in a shooting in Pennsylvania, and the suspect was found dead

(CNN) - Officials in the city of Erie, Pennsylvania, announced that several people were killed in a shooting incident inside a home in the city, on Friday evening.

WICU/WSEE, which cooperates with CNN, reported, citing sources, that 9 people, including two children, were among the dead, and CNN did not independently confirm this toll.

Expressing grief over the loss of life in this "tragic" incident, Erie Police Chief Rick Lora told the station that the circumstances of the incident were "extremely disturbing."

WICU/WSEE reported that the shooting began around 5 p.m. near the intersection of 7th and Perry Streets in the lakefront city of Erie, about 100 miles northeast of Cleveland, Ohio.

Witnesses told WICU/WSEE that a man fired a gun outside the home before disappearing inside. Erie Police and a SWAT team surrounded the home and called on the man via loudspeaker

The suspect was later found dead inside the house, apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The city confirmed that there is no ongoing threat to the public.

When police officers eventually stormed the home, they found other victims throughout the residence, including children, according to WICU/WSEE.

The city said in a statement: “We realize that this news causes deep shock and sadness to our residents, and we would like to assure the public that the situation has been brought under control.”

The police did not reveal the motive behind the accident and did not identify the victims. Erie Police told CNN that the police chief will hold a news conference on Saturday morning, adding that the investigation is still ongoing and that the location is still considered a crime scene.

CNN has reached out to the Erie County Coroner's Office, Pennsylvania State Police, and city officials for details.