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Louisiana massacre: How did a terrified child escape Shamar Elkins shooting in Shreveport? Haunting details revealed
A mass shooting in Shreveport left eight children dead, with seven inside the home and one found near the roof. A 12-year-old girl escaped by leaping from the roof, and the shooter was later killed by police in nearby Bossier City; authorities issued corrections about the survivor's identity.
Why It Matters
The case highlights concerns about gun violence and family crime in Louisiana, and shows how investigators update the public as new details emerge.
Timeline
6 Events
Media reporting and statements to PEOPLE
April 21, 2026
The incident details were communicated to PEOPLE by a police spokesperson; the statements included the survivor's injuries and the corrected survivor identity.
Correction: survivor identified as a 12-year-old girl, not the suspect's child
April 20, 2026
A spokesperson corrected earlier information, clarifying that the surviving child was a 12-year-old girl, not a 13-year-old boy, and that she was not a child of the suspect.
Pursuit ends with suspect's death in Bossier City
April 19, 2026
Elkins fled in a stolen vehicle; the pursuit concluded with law enforcement fatally shooting him in the adjacent city of Bossier City.
Escape by rooftop leap: survivor flees scene
April 19, 2026
A 12-year-old girl escaped the scene by leaping from the roof of the residence and sustained injuries.
Eight children killed; survivors discovered in home
April 19, 2026
Seven children were found dead inside the home and one child was found lifeless near the roof; some victims were shot in beds, others while attempting to flee.
Mass shooting begins at Shreveport residence
April 19, 2026
Shortly before 6 a.m. on Sunday, Shamar Elkins opened fire inside a residence in Shreveport, Louisiana, killing seven children and one cousin. He also shot his estranged spouse and a girlfriend in the head, then stole a vehicle, triggering a police pursuit.