8 Children Killed, 2 Women Injured in Horrifying Mass Shooting

A quiet Louisiana neighborhood woke up to an unthinkable tragedy Sunday morning after a man killed eight children in what police are calling a horrific domestic violence rampage.

Authorities in Shreveport say the violence unfolded across two homes in the early morning hours. The suspect, identified as Shamar Elkins, allegedly shot multiple victims before fleeing the scene in a carjacked vehicle. Police later tracked him into neighboring Bossier Parish, where officers shot and killed him after a pursuit.

The victims included eight children—three boys and five girls—ranging in age from just 3 to 11 years old. Officials say seven of the children were his own, while one was a relative.

Investigators believe the attack began at a nearby home, where a woman—identified as his wife—was shot in the face but survived. Another woman, believed to be his girlfriend, was also seriously injured. Both remain hospitalized.

Police say the suspect then went to a second home, where the children were found. Many of them were discovered inside the house, while one was found outside on the roof. Authorities described the scene as devastating and deeply disturbing.

In total, 10 people were shot. A teenager also suffered non-life-threatening injuries after falling from a roof during the chaos.

After the shootings, the suspect allegedly carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint and tried to escape. Officers eventually confronted him, and he was shot and killed.

Officials say the motive is still under investigation, but early findings point to a domestic situation involving the victims and their families.

Community members are struggling to process what happened.

“I just don’t know what to say,” one official said. “It’s something you can’t even begin to understand.”

Neighbors described the area as quiet and said nothing like this had ever happened before. One resident said seeing children being carried out of the home was “the worst thing” they had ever witnessed.

Local leaders called the incident one of the most tragic in the city’s history, as families and officials come together in grief.

Authorities are continuing their investigation as the community mourns the devastating loss.