Louisiana Man Kills 8 Children In Deadliest Mass Shooting Since 2024 - Forbes

Topline

A gunman killed eight children, including seven of his own, across three locations in Shreveport, Louisiana, before he was shot dead by police on Sunday, in the country’s deadliest mass shooting in over two years.

People light candles during a prayer vigil for the victims of a mass shooting earlier in the day, Sunday, in Shreveport, La.

Key Facts

The Shreveport Police Department said the children, who were killed in the same house, were between the ages of 3 and 11 years old—three boys and five girls, the Associated Press reported.

Two women, including the gunman’s wife, were also shot and were being treated for serious injuries.

In a statement issued on Facebook earlier, the police department described the shooting as a “violent domestic incident.”

Police noted the suspected gunman was shot and killed by officers after a pursuit was triggered after he carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint.

The suspected shooter has been identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, and the New York Times reported his family members said he had mental health problems and had expressed suicidal thoughts.

News Peg

According to an Associated Press tracker, Sunday’s incident is the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. since January 2024, when eight people were killed in the Chicago suburb, Joliet. That shooting took place across two different locations and also involved victims who were related to the shooter. The gunman, identified as Romeo Nance, later took his own life with a handgun after being confronted by law enforcement authorities.

What Else Do We Know About The Shooting?

The police department said the gunman first shot a woman at one house before moving to the house with the children. He killed seven of the children inside the house, while one was found dead on the roof, believed to be attempting an escape. One child sustained injuries but managed to survive after jumping off the roof, police said.

What Do We Know About The Shooter?

The New York Times reported that Elkins had served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 2013 to 2020 as a signal support system specialist and a fire support specialist. He had never been deployed in combat and was a private when he left the service in 2020, the report added. A family member of one of the victims told the Associated Press that Elkins and his wife were separating and were set for a court hearing on Monday. Elkins’ stepfather told the Times he had spoken with him over the phone earlier this month, during which the 31-year-old expressed suicidal thoughts and said his wife wanted a divorce.

Big Number

114. That is the number of mass shootings recorded across the U.S. so far in 2026, according to the Gun Violence Archive. The archive describes mass shootings as any incident where “a minimum of four victims were shot, either injured or killed, not including any shooter.” The total number of gun-related deaths in the U.S. this year stood at 3,747.

Crucial Quote

In a statement issued on X, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said he and his wife Sharon were, “heartbroken over this horrific situation, and we’re praying for everyone affected. We’re deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene.”