11 Dead and 3 Injured in Louisiana Mass Shooting: Gunman Kills 7 Children and Is Shot Dead by Police

On the 19th, a mass shooting occurred in Shreveport, Louisiana, resulting in the deaths of 8 children and injuries to 3 people. The shooter was the father of 7 of the children and was killed by police. Among the injured are two women—the shooter's wife and girlfriend—who are both in critical condition. Another 13-year-old boy was injured after jumping from a rooftop while trying to escape. Including the gunman, a total of 11 people died in the incident.

According to Sing Tao Daily, the incident was related to domestic violence. Shreveport police reported that around 6 a.m. that day, officers arrived at the scene after receiving a report and found 10 people had been shot, of whom 8 were dead. All the deceased were children aged 1 to 12. The crime scene covered two houses and another house nearby on the same street. The shooter first shot a woman in one house, then drove to another house and committed further shootings, afterwards hijacking a car near the scene to flee. Police immediately launched a manhunt and ultimately killed the gunman.

Among the deceased, 7 children were the shooter's own offspring. His wife was injured in the first house, and the 7 children were killed in the second. The 8th child was found dead on the rooftop, seemingly after attempting to escape.

Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Baudelaire stated the suspect was Elkins. A 13-year-old boy escaped and was injured after jumping from the roof. Baudelaire said the boy sustained several fractures but is expected to recover.

The Shooter's Wife Was Shot First; Girlfriend Also Injured

Baudelaire said that two adult women were shot in the incident. The gunman's wife was shot first, hit in the face, and is in critical condition. Afterwards, Elkins went to another residence, killing 8 children and another woman. He added that the other woman was the shooter's girlfriend and the mother of the 8th child victim; she was severely wounded and her life is in danger.

Investigators have not revealed a motive for the case. Baudelaire stated that many aspects are still under investigation, but he believes the incident "was entirely a family dispute."

Elkins was previously arrested in 2019 on a firearms charge. According to the U.S. Army, Elkins served in the Louisiana National Guard for seven years until August 2020. He was not deployed overseas.

Shreveport police chief Smith said, "I am shocked. I cannot imagine how something like this could happen."