The city of Shreveport, Louisiana, is waking up to a level of grief that defies explanation. On Sunday, April 19, 2026, a domestic rampage tore through the Cedar Grove neighborhood, leaving eight children dead in what authorities are calling the deadliest mass killing in the United States in over two years.
Shreveport Police have identified the gunman as Shamar Elkins, 31, a lifelong resident and former member of the Louisiana Army National Guard. What happened behind closed doors across four separate crime scenes has left even veteran investigators “completely stunned.”
The Timeline of a Tragedy
The violence began before sunrise, approximately at 5:00 a.m., when Elkins reportedly shot a woman—identified as his wife—at a home on Harrison Street. He then drove to a second location in the 300 block of West 79th Street, where the “heinous act” escalated to an unimaginable scale.
-
Inside the Home: Seven children were found fatally shot inside the residence.
-
The Final Escape: In a detail that has haunted the community, an eighth child was discovered dead on the roof of an adjacent house. Investigators believe the child was shot while desperately trying to escape through a window or back door.
-
The Victims: The children ranged in age from 1 to 14 years old. Seven of the eight children were reportedly Elkins’ own “descendants.”
The Chase and Fatal Confrontation
Following the shootings, Elkins reportedly carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint and led police on a high-speed pursuit that crossed the city limits into neighboring Bossier City.
The chase ended when Shreveport police officers engaged the suspect. Elkins was shot and killed during the confrontation. The Louisiana State Police have now taken over the investigation into the officer-involved shooting, while local detectives work to piece together the motive behind the initial massacre.
“Maybe the Worst Situation We’ve Ever Had”
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux addressed the media in a somber press conference on Sunday evening, visibly shaken by the scale of the loss.
“This is a tragic situation, maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had in Shreveport. It’s a terrible morning, and our hearts go out to the entire community.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who represents the Shreveport area, called the event a “heartbreaking tragedy” and confirmed his team is in constant contact with law enforcement as the investigation unfolds.
The Survivors
While eight young lives were lost, two women remain in critical condition at local hospitals. A third survivor, an adolescent boy, was injured after jumping from a rooftop to escape the gunfire but is expected to recover.
The Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office is working on the scientific identification of the victims, and while names have begun to circulate on social media, officials are asking for patience as they notify extended family members of this “family annihilation.”