A crazed Louisiana dad fatally shot eight kids — including seven of his own children — and wounded two women during a rampage Sunday morning.

The murder victims ranged in age from 1 to 14, Shreveport Police Department spokesman Christopher Bordelon said at a briefing.

Seven of the slain kids were the children of murderous, deranged dad and 31-year-old Army vet Shamar Elkins, who also killed another child during the massacre.

Cops found seven of the murdered children in one house — while the eighth child killed appeared to have futilely tried to escape off the roof on the back of the house when he was shot, Bordelon said.

6
Police tape outside of a house that was one of the sites of a mass shooting in Shreveport that left eight children dead on April 19, 2026.AP

6
Blood seen splattered on the door of one of the houses where the shooting took place.AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
Two women also were shot in the head during the killer’s rampage, with one suffering life-threatening injuries.

At least one of the women is believed to have been in a relationship with the suspect, according to Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith.

“We have three crime scenes just here in Shreveport. One of them is incredibly gruesome in nature,” Bordelon said.

“I know that some of the suspect’s children resided there. I’m not sure if at one point in time he lived there.”

There were audible gasps as Bordelon revealed the ages of the deceased.

6
The killer murdered seven of his own children.AP

6
The eight slain victims ranged from 1 to 14 years old, and seven of them were Elkins’ children.AP
The crime scenes in Shreveport were described as “extensive” and spanned two homes on the same street and a third on a nearby street.

After the shootings, the gunman carjacked a vehicle and tried to escape by fleeing to neighboring Bossier City, where he had a connection to a home, but was killed by pursuing cops, according to authorities.

6
The gunman was shot dead by cops in neighboring Bossier City after fleeing and attempting to steal a car.KSLA
“The individual responsible, once leaving this scene, performed a carjacking right here in close proximity to the corner of West 79th and Linwood, at which point in time, Shreveport police patrol officers got behind that vehicle in a chase incident,” Bordelon said.

No police officers were injured in their pursuit of Elkins.

“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” Chief Smith said.

Louisiana State Police said their detectives have been asked to help investigate by the Shreveport PD, KSLA reported.

6
Shreveport residents gathered at the corner of Linwood Avenue and 79th Street near the scene of the shooting.AP
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the shooting as one of the worst tragedies in his city’s history.

“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” the mayor told a news conference.

“It’s a terrible morning, and we all mourn for the victims,” he said.

What do you think? Post a comment.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said he and his wife Sharon were heartbroken over the events.

“We’re praying for everyone affected. We’re deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” Gov. Landry wrote on Facebook Sunday.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson, who was born in Shreveport and represents the city in Congress, also spoke out.

“Heartbreaking tragedy in Shreveport this morning — 8 children were senselessly killed and multiple others were injured. My team is in touch with local law enforcement as more details emerge,” he wrote on X.

“We’re holding the victims, their families and loved ones, and our Shreveport community close in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. And we are grateful to the Shreveport, Bossier, and Louisiana State Police for their swift response,” Johnson added.