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Father kills eight children in Louisiana shooting spree

Apr 20, 2026, 1:21 PM50
(Update: Apr 21, 2026, 1:04 PM)
state of the United States of America
parish seat of Caddo Parish, Louisiana, United States

Father kills eight children in Louisiana shooting spree

  • Shamar Elkins was involved in a domestic dispute that led to the shooting of eight children.
  • The shooting occurred in early April and involved multiple emergency calls and rapid police response.
  • Authorities have begun investigating how Elkins acquired the weapon despite his criminal history, highlighting concerns about domestic violence and firearm access.
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Story

In a tragic event in Louisiana, a shooting incident claimed the lives of eight children, including seven siblings and one cousin. The gunman, Shamar Elkins, a former National Guardsman, opened fire in a domestic setting early on a Sunday morning, reportedly following a disturbance call. Minutes after the first report at approximately 5:55 a.m., police received multiple calls indicating the gravity of the situation, which involved various victims, including women connected to the perpetrator. The chaos led to frantic calls from survivors, indicating that they had escaped from the suspect's location. With the quick response of officers, Elkins was located shortly after and exchanged gunfire with police. His death, still under investigation, may have resulted from either suicide or police action. This heartbreaking incident has shocked the local community, with authorities underscoring the dynamics of domestic violence and the associated risks, particularly for children in such environments. Elkins had a prior illegal firearms conviction, which raises questions about how he acquired the weapon used in the shooting, contributing to ongoing discussions about gun access and domestic violence in the United States. In the aftermath, community leaders have called for increased awareness and better protective measures for victims of domestic abuse, stressing that such tragedies need to be addressed seriously to prevent future occurrences.

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