A man shot and killed eight children, including seven of his own, in the U.S. state of Louisiana, police said. The suspect was identified as the children's father.
Reuters and other major foreign media reported Thursday that "a shooting occurred in Shreveport, Louisiana, killing eight children aged 11 and under."
The victims were three boys and five girls between the ages of 3 and 11. Seven of them were children of the gunman, Shamar Elkins, 31, and the remaining one was their cousin.
Elkins' wife was the first to be wounded by gunfire, and another woman who was with the children is in critical condition. A 13-year-old boy suffered fractures after jumping off a roof to escape the shooting but his life is not in danger.
After the shooting, Elkins hijacked a vehicle and fled, engaging in a chase with police before being shot and killed by officers.
"The incident occurred around 6 a.m. that day, and the crime scene spans three locations," police said. "The shooting appears to have stemmed from a domestic dispute, and Elkins shot the victims in what appeared to be an execution-style manner." Elkins served in the Louisiana National Guard for seven years, from August 2013 to August 2020.
The New York Times, citing interviews with Elkins' relatives, reported that "he had been experiencing suicidal thoughts, and his wife had asked for a divorce," adding that "he had been convicted of drunk driving in 2016 and illegal use of a firearm in 2019."
Following the incident, Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux said, "This may be the worst tragedy we have ever experienced." U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Shreveport native, posted on social media: "This is a heartbreaking tragedy. We are in contact with local police about the situation." Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry also said, "My heart is broken by this horrific situation. We are praying for all those affected."
Meanwhile, at least 119 mass shootings have occurred in the United States so far this year, killing 117 people, including 79 children.
