Shreveport, Louisiana, police identified Shamar Elkins as the suspect in a domestic violence rampage that left eight children dead, and two women shot early Sunday before he was killed in a confrontation with officers, authorities said.
Shreveport police identified Shamar Elkins as the suspect in the horrific shooting, saying seven of the children killed are believed to be his, ranging in age from about 1 to 14.
Shreveport Police Department Corporal Christopher Bordelon released Elkins’ identity while speaking with reporters near the crime scene Sunday evening, calling the mass shooting a “heinous crime.”
Along with the children, Elkins is accused of shooting the mother of his children, who is expected to survive, as well as another woman who is suffering from life-threatening injuries. A teenage victim also sustained injuries considered non-life-threatening.
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According to investigators, the suspect first shot a woman on Harrison Street before traveling to a residence on West 79th Street, where the murders happened.
After fleeing, he allegedly carjacked a man at gunpoint near Linwood Avenue and West 79th Street before officers located the vehicle and initiated a pursuit.
The chase continued into Bossier Parish, where officers confronted the suspect and opened fire, killing him at the scene. Authorities said no officers were injured.
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Louisiana State Police have taken over the investigation into the officer-involved shooting, while Shreveport police continue to investigate the murders and are asking anyone with information, photos or video to come forward.
“I just don’t know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” Bordelon said.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux called the situation “tragic,” adding it may be the worst the city has ever faced. “It’s a terrible morning,” he said.
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Officials said they were still gathering details about the crime scene, which extended across multiple locations.
Elkins previously served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 2013 to 2020, though he was never deployed.
“Shamar D. Elkins served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from August 2013 to August 2020 as a Signal Support System Specialist (25U) and a Fire Support Specialist (13F),” an Army official told Fox News Digital. “He has no deployment. He left the Army as a private.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said his thoughts and prayers are with the Shreveport community following the “heartbreaking tragedy.”
“Heartbreaking tragedy in Shreveport this morning — 8 children were senselessly killed and multiple others were injured,” Johnson wrote on X. “My team is in touch with local law enforcement as more details emerge.”
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“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,” he added. “And we are grateful to the Shreveport, Bossier, and Louisiana State Police for their swift response.”
City leaders said the attack has had an immediate and staggering impact, with one councilman noting it more than doubled Shreveport’s homicide total in a single act.
“I’ve struggled all morning since I woke up,” Councilman Grayson Boucher said. “Over 30% of our crimes and 30% of our murders in the city of Shreveport are domestic in relation. Now, that number has gone up. We more than doubled our homicides in the city of Shreveport because of one act of domestic violence.”
He described the violence as “pure evil” and warned that without intervention, similar incidents could continue.
“We can have 100 new police cars. We can have a brand new, beautiful multimillion-dollar police substation right up the road,” Boucher said. “But until we stop this violence, the cycle of violence, like I’ve said over and over again, we’re going to still be standing here, and it’s only going to get worse.”
Other officials echoed that concern, stressing the shooting underscores the dangers of domestic disputes and the need for earlier intervention.
Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor emphasized the severity of the case and urged the community to take warning signs seriously.
“From what I’ve learned about this incident…it’s domestic in nature. That makes it even more horrific,” she said. “This is not a freaking joke. This is real. And this is the result when someone snaps.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
