A community in the southern United States is in mourning after a gunman killed eight children in a domestic shooting rampage in Shreveport.
Police in Louisiana say the children, ranging in age from just one to twelve years old, were shot across three homes early Sunday morning. Authorities confirmed that seven of the victims were the suspect’s own children.
The gunman has been identified as Shamar Elkins. He was later fatally shot by police after allegedly carjacking a vehicle and leading officers on a chase into a neighboring parish.
Investigators say the attack appears to be domestic in nature, though a motive has not yet been determined.
Two adult women were also shot in the incident, including the children’s mother, who remains in very serious condition. The second victim is reported to have life-threatening injuries. Police describe the scene as extensive and deeply disturbing, with victims found across multiple locations. Authorities say some of the children attempted to escape during the attack.
Mayor Tom Arceneaux called the incident one of the worst tragedies in the city’s history, saying it has shaken the entire community.
The shooting is the deadliest mass killing in the United States since early 2024, according to officials.
Investigations remain ongoing, with Louisiana State Police reviewing the officer-involved shooting, while local detectives continue processing the crime scenes. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward, as the community grapples with what officials describe as a heartbreaking and unimaginable loss.
