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Two victims of the horrific Pennsylvania murder-suicide that killed nine – including two children and a pregnant woman – were identified as friends who selflessly rushed to the scene in a brave final act.
Lora Roberts, 37, and Twila Tanner, 51, ran to the Erie, Pa. home, where a deadly mass shooting was underway on Friday night to try to save Roberts’ niece when they were both killed by the twisted 45-year-old grandfather responsible for the shocking loss of life, according to online fundraising campaigns.
Roberts was a mother of five who was engaged to her fiancé of 14 years, loved ones shared in an online fundraiser.
“Her sudden loss has left her loved ones facing heartbreak as well as immediate financial needs during an unimaginable time,” the GoFundMe page states.
Tanner had joined Roberts as they both rushed to the home together to try to stop more bloodshed, friends and family said in a separate GoFundMe campaign.
Tanner was “bravely trying to help a friend protect her family from a violent and dangerous individual,” loved ones said.
Tanner – who leaves behind children and grandchildren – was also tragically shot and killed in the effort to help save Roberts’ niece from the violent attack, according to the online fundraiser.
The two friends are believed to have been the last to be killed before the cowardly shooter turned the gun on himself.
The “distressed” women began pounding on the door of the home on Perry Road after gunshots went off inside, according to video and audio evidence gathered by investigators.
The gunman then stepped outside to shoot them both before going back inside and killing himself, cops said.
Both families are asking for donations to cover funeral expenses and support the respective relatives who are reeling from the shocking murders.
Among the other victims gunned down is Angelina Stone, the killer’s pregnant daughter who was just days away from giving birth to her third child to be named Kyrie.
Stone’s two other children, Isiah, 5, and Amari’anna, nearly 2, were also killed.
Authorities have yet to identify other victims of the attack, saying that they are in the process of notifying the victims’ next of kin. However, police said all nine victims — except for a family friend, believed to be Tanner — were relatives.
Cops have also not yet revealed a motive for the violence, though Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah said that he believes “mental health is at play here.”