Louisiana Man Faces Federal Charges Tied to Gun Used in Shreveport Mass Shooting

A 56-year-old man from Louisiana has been charged with federal firearm offenses after authorities say he misled investigators about a weapon linked to a mass shooting that claimed the lives of eight children in Shreveport over the weekend.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana, Charles Ford is accused of making a false statement to federal agents regarding his possession of a Mossberg pistol. Investigators allege that Ford initially denied having custody of the gun, but later admitted the weapon had been in his truck and he suspected it was taken by Shamar Elkins, the alleged shooter.

Court documents reveal that a woman gave Ford the pistol while she was hospitalized the previous year. In an interview with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Ford reportedly denied receiving the weapon, citing his own criminal record that prohibited him from possessing firearms. However, after further questioning, Ford acknowledged storing the pistol in his vehicle, only to discover it missing on March 9. He told authorities that Elkins was among the few individuals with access to his truck, and that he became suspicious after confronting him.

Ford’s criminal history includes convictions for simple robbery in 2000 and a guilty plea to domestic abuse battery in 2011, making him ineligible to legally possess firearms. Meanwhile, authorities reported that Elkins, a former National Guardsman with a past firearms conviction, used the pistol to fatally shoot seven of his children and their cousin in Shreveport on Sunday. Police said he also shot his wife and another woman, identified as his girlfriend, both of whom were seriously injured.

After fleeing the house, Elkins reportedly carjacked a motorist at gunpoint and was later found dead near a nearby residence. Officials have not yet determined whether he died by suicide or was killed during a confrontation with police.

The investigation into the mass shooting continues, with federal charges now filed against Ford related to the weapon used in the attack. Court records did not list an attorney for Ford as of Tuesday.