OAN Staff Addie Davis and Sophia Flores
5:10 PM – Sunday, April 19, 2026
Local police have identified the suspect in a mass shooting tied to a domestic disturbance in Shreveport, Louisiana, that left eight juveniles dead and two others injured.
According to Shreveport Police Department Corporal Christopher Bordelon, Shamar Elkins, the shooter, was the father of seven of the eight children that were killed. The victims ranged from ages 1 to 12 years old.
“This is unlike anything I’ve ever seen, unlike anything this community’s ever seen,” Bordelon said.
After the shooting, Elkins fled the scene and carjacked a vehicle, prompting a police pursuit. Officers later fatally shot him.
Bordelon explained that police believe he was the only shooter involved and that no threat exists to the public. He went on to emphasize that the violence was related to a domestic disturbance, though he did not provide a motive for the crime.
Mayor Tom Arceneaux asked for prayers for the victims and those affected, bringing light to the scale of the event.
“This is a tragic situation, maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had in Shreveport,” Arceneaux said during the press conference.
According to The Hill, sources indicate this is the largest mass shooting in the United States since January of 2024.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.), whose district includes Shreveport, posted to social media about the shooting.
“The Shreveport community is mourning and working through today’s senseless tragedy. Please join us in praying especially for the families of the victims and all the first responders involved,” he said.
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