Don’t Open Your Door At 3am: East Erie Intruder Shot in Struggle with Occupants

An early morning altercation occurred in Erie when an uninvited man tried to force his way into a home. During the struggle, a gunshot was fired, leaving the intruder injured. Police are investigating the incident.

ERIE, PA (1-minute read) — A man who attempted to enter a home in East Erie was shot during a struggle with the residents early Monday morning, according to Erie police. The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 a.m. in the 3800 block of Essex Street.

According to Deputy Chief Rick Lorah, a woman inside the house was awoken by one of the five children in the residence who reported someone was at the door. After checking through the home’s Ring doorbell system, she noticed an unknown man at the entrance. She alerted her boyfriend, and neither of them recognized the individual.

When the boyfriend answered the door, the intruder attempted to force his way inside. A physical altercation broke out, and during the struggle, the boyfriend discharged a firearm, hitting the man in the right arm near his bicep.

Police arrived at the scene to find the injured man sitting in the front yard. He was immediately taken for medical treatment. As of Monday morning, no charges have been filed, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Major crimes detectives with the Erie Bureau of Police are continuing their investigation into the incident.

Safety Tip: Always ensure that your home’s entry points are secure and consider using a doorbell camera to monitor unexpected visitors. In situations of potential danger, call law enforcement immediately rather than engaging directly with an an unknown person outside your home.