NAIROBI, Kenya — A Louisiana father fatally shot eight children, including seven of his own, in a devastating attack that spanned two homes in a Shreveport neighborhood, leaving the community reeling after one of the deadliest mass shootings in the United States in recent years, police said.
Two women, including the gunman’s wife were critically wounded. Authorities said the victims, three boys and five girls aged 3 to 11, were all killed at one house.
Police identified the suspect as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, who died after a pursuit ended with officers opening fire. Investigators said the violence appears to have been “entirely a domestic incident.”
The attacks began before sunrise south of downtown Shreveport, when Elkins shot a woman at one home before driving to another “where this heinous act was carried out,” said police spokesperson Chris Bordelon.
Seven children were killed inside; one was found dead on the roof after apparently trying to escape, while another survived after jumping and being hospitalized.
Bordelon said police were familiar with Elkins from a 2019 firearms arrest but had no known history of domestic violence.
State Rep. Tammy Phelps said some children tried to flee through a back door. “I can’t even imagine what first responders faced,” she said.
A family member, Crystal Brown, said Elkins and his wife were separating and due in court Monday, and had been arguing beforehand.
Elkins shared four children with his wife and three with another woman — also among the wounded — and all the children were together at the same house, she said.
“He murdered his children. He shot his wife,” Brown said, describing the victims as “happy, sweet kids.”
Officials, appearing shaken at a news conference, urged patience and prayers as they worked across multiple crime scenes.
The attack was the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024.
