Police say husband killed estranged wife, companion

An Erie County man shot and killed his estranged wife and her male companion Tuesday afternoon outside a security gate at the Erie International Airport before driving to the home of a relative and turning the gun on himself in front of horrified family members, authorities said.

The gunman, David Brian Brocious, 43, of West 22nd Street, Erie, remained hospitalized in critical condition at Hamot Medical Center in Erie, where he is being treated for a single gunshot wound to the head, hospital spokeswoman Tina Andres said.

His estranged wife, Kathleen A. Brocious, 44, died at the same hospital while undergoing surgery for gunshot wounds to the pelvis and chest. Her companion, a 44-year-old Erie County man whose name was being withheld last night, died while undergoing surgery for a gunshot wound to the chest.

Kathleen Brocious and her companion were shot as they sat in a pickup truck outside an unmanned security gate at the rear of the Erie Aviation facility on airport grounds just west of Erie, Millcreek Township police Lt. Figaski said. Erie Aviation has a flight school and hangars for housing small aircraft.

Erie Coroner Lyell Cook said he understands David and Kathleen Brocious were estranged. Figaski, who said the motive for the shooting is unknown, would not say if there was a history of domestic violence between Brocious and his wife.

Figaski said Kathleen Brocious and her companion were returning from lunch when the shooting occurred. Kathleen Brocious worked at Erie Aviation and her companion had worked there until he was laid off about a week ago.

As the couple drove up to the security gate, David Brocious drove up behind then in his own pickup truck. David Brocious got out of his truck and exchanged words with the couple before opening fire with a large-caliber handgun, Figaski said.

After David Brocious drove away, the pickup truck with the two victims backed up, turned around and crossed a main highway before coming to rest in a grassy area about 50 yards away from the security gate, Figaski said. It was unknown if the victims were trying to get help or driving incoherently.

David Brocious then drove about 6 miles to the home of relatives, where he shot himself while seated in his own vehicle parked in the driveway in front of family members, Figaski said. That shooting occurred about 15 minutes after the initial shooting.

Cook said John Brocious, the 17-year-old son of David and Kathleen, shot and killed himself on Feb. 8 inside the family's home. The death was ruled a suicide.