Man kills seven of his children and another child in Louisiana mass shooting

A father in Shreveport, Louisiana, killed seven of his children and another unrelated child in a domestic-related mass shooting before being shot dead by police after a car chase. Two adult women, including the children’s mother, were critically injured. Authorities said the attack began early Sunday morning and is being treated as a domestic violence incident, leaving the community in shock.

A father has killed seven of his own children and another child in a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, in what authorities have described as a domestic disturbance that escalated into one of the city’s most devastating incidents in recent years. The victims were children aged between one and 14 years old, according to reports from CBS, the BBC’s US partner.
Police said the violence began around 05:00 local time on Sunday morning. Officers reported that the suspect shot 10 people in total before fleeing the scene in a stolen vehicle. Authorities said the situation initially came in as a domestic disturbance call, but it quickly unfolded into a large-scale tragedy when officers arrived at the scene and discovered multiple victims.
The suspect has been identified by officials as Shamar Elkins. According to Shreveport Police spokesperson Chris Bordelon, the attack began when the suspect shot a woman on the street. He then proceeded to a nearby residence, where he opened fire inside the home and killed eight children, one of whom was not biologically related to him. Police said the scene indicated a targeted act within a family setting, though investigations are ongoing to determine the full motive.
During the chaos, at least one child managed to escape by jumping from the roof of the house and was later taken to hospital for treatment. Another child reportedly ran to a nearby home and alerted authorities, helping emergency services respond to the unfolding situation. Officials confirmed that all of the deceased victims were juveniles.
Two adult women, including the mother of several of the children, were critically injured in the shooting and remain in hospital receiving treatment. Authorities have not yet provided updated details on their condition but described their injuries as severe.
After the attack, the suspect fled the area by stealing a vehicle. Police launched a pursuit, which extended into a neighbouring jurisdiction in Bossier Parish. According to law enforcement, officers eventually located and confronted the suspect during the chase. The situation ended when police opened fire, killing him at the scene. Officials have said the suspect acted alone and there is no indication of additional suspects.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the shooting as one of the most painful and devastating events in the city’s history. He said the tragedy had affected not only the families involved but also police officers, emergency responders, and the wider community. He emphasized that the city was united in mourning and extended condolences to those impacted by the loss.
Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith also expressed deep shock, saying he could not comprehend how such a violent act could occur. He confirmed that a full investigation is underway, with assistance from the Louisiana State Police and other agencies. He added that authorities are working carefully to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine what led to the shooting.
Officials have repeatedly described the incident as domestic in nature. Police spokesperson Chris Bordelon noted that officers discovered the victims inside the residence shortly after arriving on scene before 06:00. He reiterated that all of the deceased were children and that the case appears to have originated from a family-related dispute that escalated into mass violence.
Local officials have also pointed to the broader issue of domestic violence in the city. Councilman Grayson Boucher said a significant proportion of violent crime in Shreveport is connected to domestic disputes, adding that this case had sharply worsened the city’s homicide figures and highlighted ongoing concerns about family-related killings.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and his wife said they were heartbroken over the tragedy, offering prayers for the victims and their families. He also praised the efforts of law enforcement and first responders who responded to the scene. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who represents Louisiana’s Fourth District, described the incident as deeply tragic and said his thoughts were with the affected families and the Shreveport community as a whole.
The shooting is being reported as the deadliest mass shooting in the United States since January 2024, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit organisation that tracks gun-related violence in the country. The incident has left the community in shock, with officials describing it as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence and gun-related crime.