Grief engulfed Shreveport in Louisiana, USA, on Monday as eight children were killed in a mass shooting, which authorities linked to a domestic violence.
Initial investigation revealed that the suspect, identified asShamar Elkins, 31, who died after a police pursuit, was the father of the seven victims. Elkins also shot two more people, including his wife, Shaneiqua Elkins.
According to Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Chris Bordelon, the shooting was 'entirely a domestic incident' but acknowledged that there is still a lot to investigate in the case.
'This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen', he said.
In the latest development on the case, the Caddo Parish Coroner's Office identified the eight children who died, namely Jayla Elkins, 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 7; Markaydon Pugh, 10; Braylon Snow, 5; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Sariahh Snow, 11.
Autopsies are being ordered for the victims.
In 2019,Elkins was put on probation after being found guilty of illegal use of weapons.
A report fromThe Washington Post, citing a police report, said Elkins ran into the street to follow the driver of a vehicle who took off after pulling a gun on him. Elkins fired five rounds of his 9mm handgun at the fleeing vehicle, just 280 feet (85 metres) away from a school.
It was also reported that he fired the gun toward the school with children playing outside. However, police did not find any domestic violence case against him.
On Friday, 48 hours before the shooting,Shamar was seen on social media spending time with his eldest daughter.
Source: International Business Times UK
