Father Suspected of Killing Eight Children Sparks Deadly Manhunt in Louisiana
Shreveport, Louisiana — A horrifying tragedy unfolded before dawn Sunday in Shreveport as Shamar Elkins, a former Louisiana Army National Guard member, is suspected of fatally shooting seven of his children and one relative. Police confirmed the suspect, the father of seven victims aged 3 to 11, allegedly used an assault-style pistol in the shooting spree at a home on W. 79th Street in the Ceder Grove neighborhood.
Chief Wayne Smith of the Shreveport Police Department called April 19 “one of the worst days in the city’s history” during a press briefing Monday morning. The massacre lasted approximately 68 minutes before authorities engaged in a high-speed car chase that ended with Elkins’ death, though police have not yet confirmed whether he died by police gunfire or suicide.
Timeline of Violent Events Leads to Police Pursuit
The terrifying ordeal began shortly before sunrise when police received a frantic 911 call reporting a shooting inside a home on West 79th Street. The caller, trapped on the roof with children, told dispatchers that Elkins had shot everyone inside the house, which was home to about nine people.
Minutes later, a second emergency call came from a nearby residence on Harrison Street, reporting a shooting and that the suspect had fled with three children. Police quickly linked the two shootings as related and began searching the area.
In a desperate move, Elkins carjacked a red Kia Sportage near Linwood Avenue and led police on a chase across the Red River bridge into Bossier City along Interstate 49. Officers initially feared the children were in the vehicle, but by 6:40 a.m., the car was found empty with no children inside.
Two Women Wounded, Victims Include Seven Siblings and a Cousin
During the incident, two women were also wounded, including the mother of the seven children who were killed. Both remain hospitalized. Police confirmed the victims included siblings and one cousin, ranging in ages from 3 to 11 years old.
One teenager narrowly escaped injury by leaping off the roof of a house during the shooting, highlighting the chaotic terror residents endured.
Investigation Underway into Elkins’ Death and Motive
Law enforcement officials said the exact cause of Elkins’ death remains under investigation. Police fired upon the suspect during the chase, but it is unclear if the fatal wounds were self-inflicted or inflicted by officers.
Chief Smith stressed that domestic violence is believed to be the primary motive behind this brutal attack, marking one of the most devastating family violence tragedies in recent US history.
Authorities continue to piece together the sequence of events and the fate of the children reportedly taken from the Harrison Street home, as police have not disclosed details on their status following the pursuit.
Community Reacts to Unimaginable Horror
Neighbors and local officials are grappling with the emotional aftermath of Sunday’s massacre. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through Shreveport and beyond, raising urgent questions about domestic violence, gun safety, and mental health intervention.
The police department has called for calm as investigators work around the clock for answers while support services mobilize to assist surviving family members and the wider community.
What’s Next?
Law enforcement will update the public as the investigation into the multiple homicides and the suspect’s death continues. Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward to aid the ongoing inquiry.
This heartbreaking event underscores the critical need for early intervention in domestic disputes to prevent future tragedies nationwide.
Chief Wayne Smith: “April 19 will be written in the pages of history as one of the worst days that could have ever happened here in Shreveport.”
