Louisiana shooting: Gunman identified as father of seven among eight children killed, was mentally unstable
Louisiana shooting: A man in Louisiana shot dead eight children—seven of them his own—in a brutal domestic violence incident early Sunday that unfolded across two homes in a Shreveport neighbourhood, according to police. Officials called it one of the deadliest mass shootings in the United States in over two years.
The attacker, identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, allegedly carried out the killings after a dispute with his wife around 6 am. The victims—five girls and three boys aged between 3 and 11—were found inside a house. Authorities said Elkins was the father of seven children and the uncle of the eighth, though it is unclear which child was his niece or nephew. Police spokesperson Christopher Bordelon said most of the children were shot in the head while asleep. Seven died inside the house, while one was found on the roof, apparently trying to escape. Another child survived after jumping from the roof and was taken to hospital.
Investigators said the violence began before sunrise when Elkins first shot a woman at one location, then drove to another house where he killed the children. Two women, including his wife, were critically injured in the attack.
Police believe the incident was purely domestic in nature. While the exact motive remains unclear, a relative said Elkins and his wife were in the process of separating and were due in court. The couple had reportedly been arguing about the separation before the shooting. Elkins is said to have had four children with his wife and three with another woman, who was also shot. All the children were together in one house at the time.
Authorities noted that Elkins had a prior firearms-related arrest in 2019 but no known history of domestic violence complaints.
Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said he was shocked by the tragedy, while State Representative Tammy Phelps noted that some children tried to flee through the back door as the attack unfolded.
- With inputs from agencies
