Father Kills Eight Children in Shreveport Mass Shooting Amid Separation Dispute

Eight children were fatally shot early Sunday in Shreveport, Louisiana, in what authorities describe as one of the most devastating mass shootings in recent U.S. history. Police identified the shooter as Shamar Elkins, who also wounded his wife before dying following a police pursuit.

The shootings occurred before dawn across two homes in a neighborhood south of downtown Shreveport. According to law enforcement, Elkins used an assault-style rifle to shoot seven of his own children and a nephew. The victims included three boys and five girls, all between the ages of 3 and 11. Elkins’ wife, Shaneiqua Elkins, survived her injuries and was hospitalized.

Investigators noted that Elkins and his wife were going through a separation and had a court appearance scheduled for Monday. Family members reported ongoing disputes between the pair prior to the attack. Police said a sister of Shaneiqua Elkins managed to escape with a child by jumping from the roof and was able to alert authorities moments after the shooting began.

Elkins, who previously served in the Louisiana National Guard, had a 2019 felony conviction for illegal use of weapons. Under Louisiana law, this should have barred him from possessing firearms for at least 10 years after completing his sentence and probation. Authorities reported no known history of domestic violence involving Elkins prior to the incident.

Mourners held a candlelight vigil for the victims on Sunday night, as neighbors and community advocates expressed shock and grief. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the events as possibly the most tragic in the city’s history. This mass shooting is the deadliest in the United States since the killing of eight people in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a national database tracking such incidents.

As of Monday, police said the investigation remains ongoing to determine how Elkins obtained a firearm despite legal prohibitions, and to clarify the exact circumstances of his death following the police chase.