A peaceful Sunday morning in Shreveport turned into a heartbreaking tragedy that shocked the entire community. What began as an early morning emergency call quickly became one of the most disturbing cases the city has ever seen.
A Horrifying Discovery at the Scene
Police received the first 911 call just before 6 a.m. on April 19. When officers reached a rental home on West 79th Street, they found a scene that was difficult even for experienced officers to process.
Eight children were found dead inside and around the house. According to officials, some victims were shot while in bed, while others were shot as they tried to escape. The situation was chaotic, with clear signs that the children had attempted to flee but were unable to get away in time.
Who Was Responsible for the Attack
Authorities identified the suspect as Shamar Elkins, a 31-year-old man and the father of seven of the victims. The children ranged in age from just 3 to 11 years old.
Police believe the attack was sudden and extremely violent. According to investigators, there was no clear plan other than to harm everyone in the house. Officers said it appeared the shooting started on the first floor, and some children ran upstairs and tried to escape through a window, but could not survive.
Multiple Crime Scenes Involved
The case became even more shocking when police discovered that this was not the only location involved.
Authorities found that another shooting had taken place nearby on Harrison Street. A woman was injured in that incident and is believed to be connected to the suspect. Reports suggest she may have been his girlfriend.
Investigators believe this shooting happened before the attack at the 79th Street house.
Children Taken and Killed
Police shared another disturbing detail — the suspect allegedly took three of his own children from the Harrison Street location and brought them to the second house.
There, officers believe he carried out the killings. This detail has deeply affected the investigation, as it shows the movement between locations and the severity of the crime.
Weapons and Investigation Details
Authorities said two weapons were likely used in the attack:
- An assault-style pistol (already recovered)
- A handgun (also recovered)
Police are still examining ballistic evidence to understand exactly how the crime unfolded.
How the Incident Ended
After the shootings, the suspect fled the area by carjacking a vehicle. A police chase followed and ended in Bossier City.
The suspect died at the end of the chase. However, officials have not yet confirmed whether he died by suicide or was shot by police.
A City in Shock
Local officers described this as one of the worst incidents they have ever handled. Even experienced investigators said it is difficult to understand why such a tragedy happened.
Cases like this often leave more questions than answers, especially when it comes to the motive behind such extreme violence.
