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By Hollie Silverman
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At least eight children—ranging in age from 1 to "about" 12-years-old—were killed early Sunday in what police describe as a sprawling domestic‑violence shooting that stretched across four separate crime scenes in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Police previously said the victims ranged from 1 to 14 years old.
The suspect, later identified as Shamar Elkins, was killed in a police-involved shooting after a carjacking and pursuit that entered into a different Parish, Shreveport Police Corporal Chris Bordelon told reporters.
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Police said the incident remains an active investigation and emphasized that the shootings appear to be contained to a domestic dispute, with no ongoing threat to the public.
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” Mayor Tom Arceneaux told reporters, adding, “It’s a terrible morning.”
The names of the victims and the suspect have not yet been released.
Newsweek reached out to Shreveport police by email Sunday for more information.
The Context
The shooting was the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. since 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press (AP) and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
The attack adds to a year of unusually high levels of mass‑casualty domestic‑violence incidents nationwide.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, the U.S. has recorded more than 140 mass shootings so far in 2026, continuing a trend in which domestic disputes account for a significant share of multi‑victim shootings.
Children are increasingly caught in these incidents: National data shows over 1,600 children and teens are shot and killed each year, with hundreds more injured, often in family or household settings.
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What to Know
Bordelon told reporters officers were first dispatched just after 6 a.m. to reports of gunfire in the 300 block of West 79th Street, where they located the initial scene. As officers canvassed the area, they discovered additional connected locations, including one on Harrison Street, all tied to the same domestic disturbance.
Police said at least 10 people were struck by gunfire, with eight pronounced dead at the scene or shortly afterward.
The victims were all children, ranging from as young as 1 to "about" 12 years old, Bordelon explained.
Two adult women survived after being shot in the head, while a young boy also survived the incident with an undisclosed injury after jumping from a roof, local news outlet KTBS reported.
According to investigators, the suspected gunman fled the area and carjacked a vehicle nearby. Shreveport police located the vehicle and initiated a pursuit. The chase ended when officers confronted the suspect, and police discharged their firearm, killing the suspect.
“This is a very large scene with multiple locations and a significant number of victims,” Bordelon said, noting that detectives from multiple divisions were working simultaneously. “Whenever we have a situation like this, it takes time to piece together exactly what happened.”
No further information on what led up to the domestic disturbance has been released by authorities.
“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.”
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is from Shreveport and represents part of northwest Louisiana, also commented on the incident, calling it a “heartbreaking tragedy"
"8 children were senselessly killed and multiple others were injured. My team is in touch with local law enforcement as more details emerge,” Johnson said, adding, “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."
A neighbor told the AP that her home‑security camera captured video of the suspected gunman running from one of the shooting scenes toward a nearby tire shop. She said she heard two gunshots on the recording and saw the man fleeing the house. The neighbor also said she later saw one of the child victims on the roof of the home but recalled no sounds of an argument beforehand, describing the area as quiet.
The AP also reported that the pastor who owns the home where the shootings occurred said he had no direct relationship with the family renting the property. Pastor Marty T. Johnson Sr. of St. Gabriel Community Baptist Church told the AP that an employee handled the rental and that he learned details only from neighbors and news coverage. He said he plans to hold a prayer vigil and assist the family however he can, especially given the number of children killed.
What Happens Next
Shreveport detectives from multiple divisions are processing the four scenes and interviewing witnesses. The department is expected to release additional details on the suspect, the victims, and the sequence of events once next‑of‑kin notifications are complete.
The Louisiana State Police will review the officer‑involved shooting, as is standard protocol. They have asked anyone with video, pictures or information in the case to reach out to investigators, AP reported.
“We’re deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” Governor Jeff Landry said in a statement, reported by the outlet.
Local officials say they also expect to coordinate with child‑advocacy and victim‑services organizations given the number of minors affected
Update 4/19/26 12:23 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with more information.
Update 4/19/26 2:58 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with more information.
Update 4/19/26 4:38 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with more information.
Update 4/19/26 12:23 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with more information.
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