Father kills seven of his children? Details emerge in Louisiana mass shooting

Shreveport: A devastating mass shooting in Shreveport has left eight children dead, including seven reportedly killed by their father in what police are describing as a domestic-related attack that unfolded across two homes on Sunday.

Authorities identified the suspect as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, who also died following a police pursuit that ended in officers opening fire. Police said the incident appears to have been entirely domestic in nature, though investigations are ongoing.

According to the Shreveport Police Department, the violence began in the early hours when the gunman shot a woman at one residence before moving to a second home, where most of the victims were located.

Seven children were killed inside the second house, while another child was found dead on the roof after reportedly attempting to escape. A ninth child survived after jumping from the building and is receiving hospital treatment. The victims ranged in age from 3 to 11 years old.

Two women, including the suspect’s wife and mother of several of the children, were also shot and remain in critical condition. Officials said the suspect and his wife were in the process of separating and were due in court the following day, according to family accounts.

Police said Elkins had a prior firearms-related arrest in 2019 but no known recent history of domestic violence was recorded by authorities.

Witnesses and neighbours described a chaotic scene as emergency responders arrived, with multiple crime scenes across the neighbourhood. Local officials called it one of the most tragic incidents the city has ever faced, as investigators continue to piece together the sequence of events.

Louisiana state authorities are assisting in the investigation, while officials have urged the public to provide any video or information that may help establish a clearer timeline of the attack.

(AP)