Who Was Shamar Elkins? Man Who Killed 8 Children, Including 7 Of His Own, In Louisiana

Last Updated:April 20, 2026, 08:39 IST

Shamar Elkins, identified as the gunman in the Louisiana domestic violence mass shooting, killed eight children, including seven of his own, before dying in a police chase.

Authorities identified the gunman in the Louisiana mass shooting as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, who police say carried out an early morning attack that left eight children dead, including seven of his own, in what investigators described as a domestic violence incident.

Police said Elkins died after officers opened fire on him following a vehicle chase that extended into neighbouring Bossier Parish.

“At the end of that pursuit, the suspect exited the vehicle with a firearm, and ultimately our officers were forced to neutralise the suspect," police Corporal Chris Bordelon told reporters, according to AFP.

According to the Associated Press, police were familiar with Elkins due to a previous firearms arrest in 2019, but authorities said they were not aware of other domestic violence issues in his past.

Officials said investigators are still working to determine what may have triggered the violence, with Bordelon stating detectives believe the shooting was “entirely a domestic incident," AP reported.

DOMESTIC DISPUTE LINKED TO FAMILY SEPARATION

A relative of one of the wounded women said Elkins and his wife were in the process of separating and were due in court Monday, according to AP.

The relative said the couple had argued over the separation before the shooting took place.

“He murdered his children. He shot his wife," the family member said, according to AP.

The report mentioned that Elkins shared four children with his wife and three children with another woman who lived nearby and was also shot in the attack. All of the children were gathered at one house at the time of the shooting.

Authorities said the victims included three boys and five girls, according to the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office cited by AP.

HOW THE SHOOTING UNFOLDED

Police said the attacks began before sunrise in a neighbourhood south of downtown Shreveport when the suspect allegedly shot a woman at one home before travelling to a nearby residence where the children were located.

Seven children were found dead inside the house, while an eighth child was discovered dead on the roof after apparently attempting to escape.

Another child survived after jumping from the roof and was taken to the hospital.

Reuters reported that preliminary information indicated the suspect first shot a woman before going to the nearby home where the children were killed.

The children ranged in age from about 18 months to 14 years old, according to police statements.

Two women, including the gunman’s wife, were seriously injured in the attack and were being treated in the hospital.

POLICE PURSUIT AND DEATH OF THE SUSPECT

Authorities said Elkins fled the scene in a carjacked vehicle before police pursued him into neighbouring Bossier Parish.

According to Reuters, the suspect was fatally shot when officers opened fire during the chase.

Louisiana State Police said detectives were assisting in the investigation into the shooting involving the officer.

Police said the crime scene spanned multiple residences as investigators worked to piece together the sequence of events.

“We do believe him to be the only individual who fired gunshots at these locations," Bordelon said, describing the incident as a “domestic disturbance," according to AFP.

News world Who Was Shamar Elkins? Man Who Killed 8 Children, Including 7 Of His Own, In Louisiana

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