8 Children Killed in Shreveport Mass Shooting: Father Shoots 7 of His Own Kids and 1 That He Wasn't Sure was his
- 17GEN4
- 6 hours ago
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Shreveport, La. (AP) — A father fatally shot eight children, including seven of his own during a mass shooting murder spree early Sunday morning in Shreveport, Louisiana, leaving a neighborhood reeling from one of the deadliest mass shootings in the U.S. in more than two years, authorities said.
The suspect, identified by police as Shamar Elkins, killed the victims—ranging in age from about 1 to 14 years old—before fleeing the scene, carjacking a vehicle, and leading officers on a chase that ended with him being shot and killed by police, according to Shreveport Police Department spokesman Cpl. Chris Bordelon and other officials.
Eight children died in the attack, which spanned at least two or three locations in the Cedar Grove neighborhood. Seven were Elkins' own children, while the eighth was another child. Two adult women were gravely wounded and hospitalized in critical condition; a 13-year-old also escaped injury during the chaos. A total of about 10 people were shot.
Police described the shootings as a "domestic disturbance" that began around 6 a.m. Officers responding to the initial call discovered a horrific scene with multiple deceased children inside one residence. Elkins had reportedly been struggling with mental health issues, including "dark thoughts," according to some accounts.
Shreveport Mayor and city officials called the incident "horrific," with one councilwoman expressing disbelief at the targeting of young lives. "I don't know what people think in the crevices of their mind to want to harm another human being, let alone that of children who have their whole life ahead of them," said Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor.
Neighbors and community members described the victims as happy, friendly children. The tragedy has shaken the area, prompting calls for counseling and support services amid the grief.
This marks the deadliest mass killing in the United States since 2024, according to tracking data. Authorities said the motive remains under investigation, with the focus on the domestic nature of the attack.
As investigators continue to piece together the timeline, the Shreveport community is mourning the loss of young lives cut short in what officials have labeled a senseless act of violence.
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