An armed man shot dead eight children on Sunday during a family dispute that took place in two different homes. It is the deadliest mass shooting in the United States in over two years, as reported by the Shreveport police in Louisiana.
The victims were aged 1 to 14, according to Chris Bordelon, spokesperson for the Shreveport police. In total, 10 people were hit by bullets.
The suspect stole a vehicle while leaving the scene of the tragedy before being pursued by the police. He was shot by officers at the end of a chase, the police added.
The police did not reveal the identity of the suspect, but specified that he was an adult man.
Authorities stated that they were continuing to gather information in three different locations, situated south of downtown Shreveport: the two houses where the murders took place and a third location. Some of the victims were related to the suspect, Mr. Bordelon stated.
“It’s an unprecedented scene, something most of us have never seen before,” he acknowledged.
This is the deadliest massacre in the United States since January 2024, when eight people were murdered in Chicago in January 2024, according to data compiled by the Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
During a press conference in front of the residence where the massacre occurred, officials appeared shocked, asking the community to be patient and pray as they examined the multiple crime scenes.
“I just don’t know what to say, I am in shock,” said Wayne Smith, chief of police in Shreveport. “I can’t even imagine how such an event could happen.”
“This is a tragic situation – maybe the worst tragic situation we have ever faced,” added Tom Arceneaux, mayor of this city in northwest Louisiana with around 180,000 residents. “It’s a terrible morning!”
The Louisiana State Police stated that their investigators were called upon by the Shreveport police to lead the investigation. In a statement, the state police clarified that no officers were injured during the shooting involving a police officer in Bossier City on Sunday morning.
The state police are asking anyone with photos, videos, or information to inform the investigators.
