Louisiana town residents are left shocked and dumbfounded as domestic violence leaves seven young siblings and one cousin dead. Other people were also injured inone of the deadliest family-related mass shootings in recent US history.
Authorities said that the incident happened across two homes in the Cedar Grove neighborhood, Shreveport, Louisiana on Sunday, 19 April. Initial investigations have identified seven of the victims as the suspect's own children while the 8thchild was a cousin of the victims.
Authorities have identified theLouisiana shooter as 31-year-old Shamar Elkinswho was later shot and killed after a police chase, ending a domestic dispute that turned into a horrific scene of unimaginable loss. Elkins was shot by police as he drove into neighboring Bossier City.
The Louisiana shooter was identified as an army vet and UPS worker whoshared a photo on social media of himself with his eldest daughteras she ate a burger hours before he massacred his own family.
According to reports citing Caddo Parish Coroner's Office, the victims of the Louisiana shooter ranged in age from 3 to 11 years old. They were identified as:
Seven of the 8 minor victims were fathered by Elkins while the remaining child is believed to be a relative or cousin of Elkin's children.
Two adult women were critically injured during the massacre. One woman, Shaneiqua Elkins, is the mother of several of the children who perished, whilst the second woman was shot on the street as Elkins approached one of the homes right before the murders.
A 13-year-old boy was able to escape by jumping from a roof and sustained broken bones. He is currently hospitalized due to his injuries. Another victim managed to run to a neighbor's home to report the ongoing carnage.
The police investigators believe that the children were in a home on West 79thStreet when the suspect arrived after shooting a woman at a nearby residence. Seven children were found deceased inside the home, whilst an eighth child was found outside, presumably chased and shot by Elkins after the child tried to flee.
Investigators described the macabre event as a domestic violence episode that spiraled into a mass shooting. Police have not released a statement about what triggered Elkins to attack and kill his own children, butsome reports mentioned Elkins dealing with family turmoil and a separation.
Source: International Business Times UK
