Shamar Elkins, 31, has been named locally as the man suspected of killing eight children aged one to 14, and then attempting to flee to scene in a stolen car, before being shot dead by police
The suspect behind a shooting that left eight children dead has been pictured locally.
Shamar Elkins, 31, is accused of killing eight children aged one to 14. The horror incident is the deadliest mass shooting in the US in more than two years.
Police told KSLA that Elkins is believed to be the father of some of the victims. A total of 10 people were shot, with two women surviving the horrific ordeal. One of the female victims is reported to have suffered life-threatening injuries and is believed to have been shot in the head.
The ordeal unfolded on Sunday morning and saw the gunman approach one address in Shreveport. This was where the terrible massacre took place, reports say.
Police said Elkins then drove to Harrison Street around a quarter of a mile away. He was followed there by police in a high-speed chase after carrying out a carjacking. Elkins then drove to a third location where he was shot and killed by cops.
Liza Demming, who lives two houses down from where one of the attacks happened, said her security camera captured video of the suspect running away along with the sound of two shots.
“That’s pretty much all I saw, was him running out of the house and the cars leaving,” she said.
Ms Demming later went outside and saw the covered body of a child on the home’s roof. She said she did not know the gunman’s name.
“He looks like the dad that comes over here,” she said, adding that he was just with the children a few days ago.
Officers and locals are reeling from the shooting, the deadliest in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
The suspect died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, said Chris Bordelon, spokesperson for the Shreveport Police Department. Mr Bordelon spoke of the horror that met the eyes of the officers who attended the scenes.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
Officials appeared stunned following the shooting. At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, they requested patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don’t know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in north-western Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It’s a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police said their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police said no officers were harmed in the shooting after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana governor Jeff Landry and US House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is from Shreveport, said in separate statements that they were heartbroken and praised law enforcement for their response.
“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,” Mr Johnson said in a statement.
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