The city of Shreveport is reeling after eight children were killed in a mass shooting Saturday night, according to police.
Shreveport police Chief Wayne Smith and the city’s mayor addressed the shooting during a Sunday morning news conference, describing it as a domestic incident.
Police identified the suspect as Shamar Elkins.
Elkins was the father of seven of the children killed in the shooting. Elkins’ wife was one of two women injured by gunfire, according to a report by CNN.
CNN also reports that Elkins was in the Louisiana Army National Guard for seven years until August 2020.
He was never deployed, according to CNN.
According to Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Chris Bordelon, Elkins had been arrested in 2019 in a firearms case. He said police were not aware of any other domestic violence issues.
Investigators said 10 people were shot during the disturbance.
Here is everything we know about the shooting:
Victims ranged from 1 to 14 years old
The children were identified by their mothers as Jayla Elkins, 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 7; Markaydon Pugh, 10; Sariahh Snow, 11; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Braylon Snow, 5.
Two adult women were taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. A teenager was also hurt, but authorities said those injuries were not considered life-threatening.
Shreveport Police confirmed Elkins shot the mother first and then shot eight children, seven of whom were his own.
Multiple scenes
According to investigators, the suspect first shot a woman on Harrison Street before going to a home in the 300 block of West 79th Street, where the shooting continued.
Police said officers responded to the shooting just before 6 a.m. and determined the case was domestic in nature.
Carjacking led to police chase
After leaving the scene, the suspect allegedly stole a car near the intersection of Linwood Avenue and West 79th Street.
Police pursued the vehicle into Bossier Parish, where the chase ended.
Officers kill suspect:
During the pursuit, three police officers fired their weapons, killing the suspect.
Authorities said they believe the suspect was the only person who fired gunshots at the shooting scene.
Shreveport Mayor issues statement:
Following the deadly shooting, Mayor Tom Arceneaux issued the following statement, urging victims of domestic violence to come forward before it is too late:
“‘No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.’”
“Those words from John Donne remind us that a tragedy like this does not belong to one family alone — it belongs to all of us. Today, our community is grieving the unimaginable loss of innocent children. There are no words that can make sense of it, and no distance that shields us from it.
https://www.wdsu.com/article/s…
“Shreveport is not an island. We are connected — and in moments like this, that connection must mean something. It must mean compassion, it must mean awareness, and it must mean action.
“This tragedy reaches far beyond the scene itself. It affects the first responders who answered the call, the neighbors who witnessed the aftermath, the families who are now living a nightmare, and a community that feels shaken to its core.
“These are the kinds of moments that leave a lasting imprint—on our hearts, on our minds, and on our sense of safety. We must check on one another. We must support those who carry the weight of what they saw and heard today. And we must not ignore the deeper issues — violence in the home, untreated trauma, and the silence that allows both to grow.
“Please keep these children, their loved ones, and everyone affected in your prayers. And if you are hurting, reach out. You do not have to carry this alone.
“If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, help is available. The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office Domestic Abuse contact is Jackie Winston at 318-560-2383. Project Celebration, Inc. is available 24/7 at 318-226-5015. The Local Sexual Assault Hotline is 888-995-7273, and the Local Domestic Violence Hotline is 888-411-1333. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.”
READ MORE:What we know about the mass shooting that killed eight children in Shreveport
