A gunman inLouisianakilled seven of his ownchildren, critically wounded their mother, and killed an eighth child on Sunday,policesaid.
The children were aged between 1 and 12 years old, according to Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Christopher Bordelon. The gunman has been identified as Shamar Elkins.
The mother is in critical condition. The gunman wounded a second woman at the scene as well. Bordelon said that the suspect had previously been arrested in a 2019 firearms case.
In total, 10 people were shot in the attack that took place across at least three locations in Shreveport. Police said Elkins shot a woman at one home before traveling to a second where he killed the children.
Seven were found shot inside the home and an eighth child was found dead on the roof after they apparently tried to escape the attack.
Bordelon said Elkins fled in a stolen vehicle and was fatally shot by officers during a chase in neighboring Bossier City.
“The individual responsible once leaving this scene performed a carjacking right here in close proximity to the corner of West 79th and Linwood, at which point in time, Shreveport police patrol officers got behind that vehicle in a chase incident,” Bordelon said.
Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said he was “taken aback” by the horrifyingshooting.
“My heart goes out to this entire community for the tragic event that has taken place this morning,” Smith said. “I just don’t know what to say. My heart is just taken aback. I just cannot begin to imagine how such an event can occur.”
He said the crime scene was an “extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen.”
“This is a tragic situation, maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux added. “It’s a terrible morning in Shreveport.”
State Representative Tammy Phelps said at a news conference that some of the children tried to escape through the back door.
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“I can’t even imagine what the police officers, first responders actually dealt with when they got here today,” she said.
Police said they were still gathering details about the crime scene, and the Louisiana State Police is also investigating.
The two surviving victims were both women who had been shot in the head. One of the women is believed to have been in a relationship with the suspect, according to Smith. Police said one of the women fled to a neighbor’s house after she was shot, according to theWall Street Journal.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is from Shreveport, issued a statement on Sunday saying his team was in communication with local investigators.
“We’re holding the victims, their families and loved ones, and our Shreveport community close in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” Johnsonwrote on X.
He said he had spoken with Arceneaux and described the shooting as a domestic issue that spiraled into violence.
“I just spoke with @ShreveportMayor Tom Arceneaux about the situation and the multiple law enforcement agencies currently engaged in the investigation to pledge any assistance we can possibly provide,” hewrote. “What apparently began as a domestic dispute this morning ended in amass shootingwith ten people shot—including eight children, ages 1 to 14, who all lost their lives.”
Members of Shreveport’s City Council visited the scene on Sunday afternoon where they held a public prayer for the victims and their families,NBC News reports.
Shreveport City Council chair Tabatha Taylor said the children killed “had their whole life ahead of them.”
“This is the result when someone snaps,” Taylor said. “So, I’m going to ask the community, along with prayer, with every mental health consultant that is out there — this family and this community needs you.”
The shooting is the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. in more than two years,according to the Associated Press.
The city of Shreveport is in northwestern Louisiana, with a population of around 180,000.