Suspect dead after 8 children killed, 2 women wounded in Louisiana shooting

The suspect, who was the father of seven of the children, was killed after a vehicle chase, according to police. The slain children were between 18 months and 12 years old.

A man in Louisiana killed eight children Sunday in a shooting that authorities described as a domestic violence incident, and was later killed by police after fleeing in a carjacked vehicle, officials said.

The suspect's wife and a woman believed to be his girlfriend were also shot and seriously injured in the violence that occurred at two homes in the early-morning hours, police said.

The children killed were between 18 months and 12 years old, police said.

“I just don’t know what to say. My heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith told reporters. “I just cannot begin to imagine how such an event can occur.”

Shamar Elkins was identified by police as the shooter and sole suspect, and seven of the eight children killed were his, police spokesperson Christopher Bordelon said.

Officers with the Shreveport Police Department responded to the 300 block of West 79th Street just after 6 a.m. following reports of a domestic disturbance, police said. Bordelon described the crime scene as “extensive.”

The suspect first shot a woman on nearby Harrison Street before heading to a home on West 79th Street where he killed all the children, police said.

The suspect fled the scene and carjacked a person at gunpoint near the intersection of Linwood Avenue and West 79th Street, police said.

A police chase ensued and Shreveport officers shot and killed the suspect in neighboring Bossier Parish, according to police. The gunman is believed to be the only suspect in the incident, Bordelon said.

“Officers were forced to discharge their department-issued firearms, neutralizing the suspect,” police said in a statement.

The Louisiana State Police is investigating the shooting of the suspect, but Shreveport police said that nothing suggests any wrongdoing by officers.

The suspect shot 10 victims in all. A teenager had non-life-threatening injuries from falling off a roof, police said.

One of the women wounded is Elkins' wife, who was shot in the face but was alive Sunday, and the other woman shot is believed to be Elkins’ girlfriend, Bordelon said.

Seven of the children who were killed were found inside the home and the eighth was found dead on a back roof, Bordelon said.

Elkins “conducted a shooting and executed, ultimately, eight children,” Bordelon said. He said investigators are still investigating why Elkins carried out the shootings.

“We know it’s domestic in nature, we know his wife is involved and she is the mother of at least seven of the children, with the eighth being a family friend,” Bordelon said.

A small-caliber handgun was used in some of the violence and Elkins had a "rifle-style pistol" when he was confronted by police and killed, Bordelon said.

It appears many of the children were shot in their sleep, Bordelon said. Most of the children were shot in the head, he said.

Mack London, 71, who lives on the same block, said he didn’t hear the gunfire and only learned of the killings from a neighbor as he stepped outside around 7 a.m. to close his gate. By then, he said, the street was flooded with police and an ambulance, with the block shut down and onlookers gathering.

London, who has lived there since 1991, said violence like this is unheard of in the neighborhood. “Nothing like this has ever happened on this street,” he said. “It was bad. … I hate that it happened to those kids.”

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux said the community is in mourning.

“This is a tragic situation, maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had in Shreveport,” he said at a news conference. “So, right now we’re going to process the information and it’s in very good hands.”

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said he is “heartbroken over this horrific situation” and grateful for local law enforcement and first responders. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has represented Shreveport for almost 10 years, called the incident a “heartbreaking tragedy,” adding that his team is in touch with local police.

“We’re holding the victims, their families and loved ones, and our Shreveport community close in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” Johnson said in a post on X.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

Members of Shreveport’s City Council gathered near the scene Sunday afternoon to pray and ask that the community lift up the family affected.

The slain children “had their whole life ahead of them,” Shreveport City Council Chair Tabatha Taylor said through tears.

“This is the result when someone snaps,” Taylor said. “So I’m going to ask the community, along with prayer, with every mental health consultant that is out there — this family and this community needs you.”

Freddie and Marie Montgomery live across the street from where the children were killed but they didn’t know the family well. They said the family had moved in about six months ago. 

On Sunday morning around 6:30 a.m., there was a commotion and Shreveport police were entering the home, they said.

“When they brought all those kids out of that house, that’s just the worst thing I ever seen,” Marie Montgomery said.

The day earlier, Freddie Montgomery was visiting with another neighbor and returning home when he saw a man in the front yard and the children playing outside. He said he waved at the man and the man waved back like normal.

“When we found out what had actually happened over there, it was just, just a shock,” Freddie Montgomery said. “There is no sense in this.”

Ryan Chandler reported from Shreveport, Phil Helsel from Los Angeles and Mirna Alsharif and Cristian Santana from New York City.