Shreveport, La. – A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children, including seven of his own, and shot two other people Sunday in an early morning attack of domestic violence carried out across two houses, authorities said. The incident shook a Shreveport neighborhood and marks one of the deadliest mass shootings in the United States in more than two years.
The victims were aged 1 to about 12 years old, with one of the adults wounded being the mother of the suspect’s children, according to Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Chris Bordelon. Investigators have not determined what triggered the violence.
The suspect, identified as Shamar Elkins by Bordelon, died after a police pursuit. While there is still much to investigate, detectives believe the shooting was solely a domestic incident.
Shamar Elkins had a previous arrest in 2019 in a firearms case, but there were no known history of domestic violence issues, police said.
The gunfire began before sunrise in a neighborhood south of downtown Shreveport, with the suspect shooting a woman at one home before driving to the other location where he carried out the attack.
Seven children were killed inside the second house, with one found dead on the roof after an attempted escape. Authorities did not provide the gunman’s name but confirmed he was an adult male.
Liza Demming, a neighbor, witnessed the suspect fleeing the scene. Pastor Marty T. Johnson Sr., who owns one of the homes involved, plans to hold a prayer vigil for the family.
The Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office has not released the children’s names, as identification is still pending. Two women who were shot and wounded are receiving treatment for serious injuries.
The shooting in Shreveport is the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. since January 2024. Police and city officials are urging patience and prayers as they investigate the tragic incident.
Louisiana State Police are assisting in the investigation, and state authorities are seeking any information or evidence related to the shooting.
[Context: A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children and wounded two others in a domestic violence attack in Shreveport. The incident is one of the deadliest mass shootings in the U.S. in over two years.
Fact Check: The article mentions the suspect’s name as Shamar Elkins, and it highlights the support and response from local and state officials, including Gov. Jeff Landry and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson.]
