Tragedy unfolded early on Sunday morning in a quaint neighborhood in Louisiana when a man opened fire and killed eight young children.
At least 10 people were shot, and eight juvenile victims died after the Shreveport Police Department was called just after 6am to reports of a domestic disturbance involving the suspected shooter, Shamar Elkins, 31.
The youngest victim in the unfathomable tragedy was 18 months old, and the eldest was 14 years old.
Some of the children killed were ‘descendants’ of Elkins, police said, without providing further details.
Two adult women survived the bloody incident after being shot in the head, meanwhile a young boy who was also at the home when gunfire erupted was seen jumping from the roof in a bid to escape the attack, KTBS reported.
The horrific ordeal unfolded across three different locations. The first, 300 block of West 79th Street near Linwood Avenue, was where the children were massacred in a home just a stone’s throw away from a Baptist church.
Elkins then performed a carjacking at that location and led officers on a high-speed chase, traveling a quarter-mile away to Harrison Street, between Wallace Avenue and Bernstein Avenue.
He then drove to the third location, in Bossier Parish, on Brompton Lane near Long Acre Drive. He was shot and killed by police there.
The crime scene was described as ‘rather extensive’ by police spokesperson Christopher Bordelon. ‘We do believe him to be the only individual that fired gunshots at these locations here,’ he added.
He said some of the children in the home ‘were his descendants,’ but did not provide further details.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux solemnly addressed the shaken community after the shooting.
‘We have a hurting community, we have hurting families, we have hurting police officers, coroners personnel, fire departments, sheriff’s people,’ Arceneaux said.
‘This affects the entire community. So we all mourn with these families.
‘It’s a Sunday morning. I ask all of you who are listening, who might be able to pray at your services this morning, not just for this family, for all the victims.’
The mayor added that the incident is ‘maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had in Shreveport.’
‘So, right now we’re going to process the information and it’s in very good hands,’ he continued.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Speaker Mike Johnson shared his condolences after the ordeal on Sunday morning.
He wrote: ‘Heartbreaking tragedy in Shreveport this morning — 8 children were senselessly killed and multiple others were injured. My team is in touch with local law enforcement as more details emerge.
‘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. And we are grateful to the Shreveport, Bossier, and Louisiana State Police for their swift response.’
Caddo Parish Schools Superintendent Keith Burton called the shooting an ‘unspeakable tragedy.’
He added: ‘We know that eight young lives were taken far too soon. They were children with dreams, hopes and futures that were just beginning to take shape.
‘There are no words that can make sense of a loss like this. As a community, we must wrap around one another in the days ahead.
‘We must take care of our children, support our families and stand beside our educators and first responders who are carrying the weight of this moment.’
Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office sent the following statement: ‘Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating this tragic situation.
‘We do not yet know all the details, but I am deeply saddened by the senseless loss of life.
‘I’m praying for the victims and their family members in the wake of this devastating violence.’
Shreveport, about five hours outside of New Orleans, is a high crime area known for violence, according to Neighborhood Scout.
One in 82 people are a victim of a violent crime in Shreveport, compared to one in 192 in the state of Louisiana, the report showed.
