People in a Shreveport neighborhood are grieving after a mass shooting Sunday morning that left eight children dead and two other people wounded.
Police said officers responding just after 6 a.m. found 10 people had been shot. Eight died at the scene; all eight were children, ranging in age from 1 to 14. Authorities told reporters that at least seven of the dead children were the shooter’s own children. Two other people were shot and survived.
Shreveport police identified the shooter as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins. After the shootings at two homes in the same neighborhood, police say Elkins carjacked a vehicle and led officers on a short pursuit. He stopped, produced a handgun and was shot by officers at the scene; he also died.
Louisiana State Police are assisting the Shreveport Police Department in the investigation. Police said a survivor escaped and called 911 to report the attacks. Officials have not released a motive and said a prior interaction with police did not explain why the shootings occurred.
City leaders described the incident as devastating. A Shreveport official called it “maybe the worst tragedy situation we’ve ever had” in the city, and neighbors expressed shock and sorrow at the loss of so many children.
Authorities have not yet released the victims’ names or all demographic details. Investigators said they are working to notify next of kin and to piece together a timeline of events. Forensic and state investigators will continue processing the two crime scenes and reviewing evidence, and families and community members are receiving support services.
Local and state investigators asked anyone with information or video from the neighborhood early Sunday to contact Shreveport police as they continue the probe into what authorities called a “tragic situation.” Jason Allen reported from Shreveport; Jericka Duncan anchored the segment.