The gunman who murdered eight children in a series of attacks across Shreveport, Louisiana on Sunday morning has been identified as Shamar Elkins, a 31-year-old Army veteran who had posted a photograph with one of his daughters just hours before carrying out the massacre.
Elkins opened fire at three separate addresses shortly after 6am, killing children aged between one and 14. Seven of the eight victims were his own children. The revelation of the victims’ ages prompted audible gasps from those present as a police representative read them aloud at a Sunday press conference. Elkins was subsequently shot and killed by police following a vehicle pursuit into neighbouring Bossier City.
The attack came hours after Elkins had presented an image of apparent normality on social media. On Saturday, he posted a photograph of himself with his eldest daughter as she ate a burger, writing warmly about taking her on a one-on-one date. Two weeks earlier, he had shared a picture of himself with seven children ahead of an Easter church service, describing it as “a blessed day” and calling it his first time attending church with all of his children together.
Yet other recent posts told a more troubled story. On 9 April — less than two weeks before the killings — Elkins published a prayer on Facebook asking God to help him manage his mental state. “When depression tries to settle in, when anger rises, when anxiety or panic comes, give me the awareness to recognise what is not from You and the strength to reject it immediately,” the post read.
Elkins had a prior criminal record. In March 2019, three years after leaving active military service, he was arrested after firing five rounds at a moving vehicle within 300 feet of a Shreveport high school — shooting in the direction of the school as the car sped away. He pleaded guilty to illegal use of weapons in October of that year and was placed on 18 months’ probation. A separate firearms charge was dismissed.
Louisiana State Police have assumed control of the investigation given that the crime scene spans multiple parish boundaries. US House Speaker Mike Johnson, who was born in Shreveport, described the killings as a “heartbreaking tragedy” and said his team had made contact with local law enforcement. Governor Jeff Landry also issued a statement offering prayers for those affected and expressing gratitude to the first responders who attended the scene.
