A Shreveport neighborhood is in mourning after a Sunday morning mass shooting that left eight children dead and two others wounded. Police said officers who arrived just after 6 a.m. found 10 people had been shot; eight died at the scene. The victims who died were all children, ages 1 to 14, and authorities said at least seven of them were the shooter’s own children. Two additional people were shot and survived.
Shreveport police identified the shooter as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins. Officials say the shootings occurred at two homes in the same neighborhood. After the attacks, Elkins carjacked a vehicle and led officers on a short pursuit. He stopped, produced a handgun and was shot by responding officers; he later died.
Louisiana State Police are assisting the Shreveport Police Department with the investigation. Police said a survivor escaped and called 911 to report the shootings. Authorities have not released a motive and said a prior interaction with police did not explain why the attacks occurred.
City leaders described the incident as devastating; a Shreveport official called it possibly the worst tragedy the city has faced. Neighbors expressed shock and sorrow at the loss of so many children.
Investigators have not yet released the victims’ names or complete demographic details as they work to notify next of kin and establish a timeline. Forensic teams and state investigators are continuing to process the two crime scenes and review evidence. 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 the probe continues into what authorities called a tragic situation. The report was filed from Shreveport by Jason Allen, with Jericka Duncan anchoring the segment.