A domestic-related mass shooting claimed the lives of eight children in Shreveport early Sunday morning, marking a catastrophic act of violence that has stunned the local community.
Shreveport Police Department (SPD) officers responded to the scene shortly after 6 a.m. on April 19. Upon arrival, authorities discovered a sprawling crime scene spanning two separate residences. According to SPD spokesperson Christopher Bordelon, 10 people were shot in total; eight of those victims have been confirmed deceased.
The victims were all juveniles, with ages ranging from approximately 1 to 14 years old. While official identities remain withheld pending notification of next of kin, investigators believe several of the children were related to the gunman.
Following the initial assault, the suspect fled the scene and carjacked a vehicle, initiating a high-speed police pursuit. The chase crossed city lines into neighboring Bossier Parish. Law enforcement officials eventually engaged the suspect, discharging their weapons and killing him.
“We do believe him to be the only individual that fired gunshots at these locations,” Bordelon stated during a press conference Sunday.
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Preliminary findings suggest the massacre was not a random act. Authorities have categorized the incident as “domestic” in nature, though they have not yet disclosed the specific catalyst for the violence.
The SPD’s investigative units and forensic teams remain on-site at the two residences to process evidence. While the suspect is dead, the investigation continues as detectives work to establish a definitive timeline of the morning’s events.
The Shreveport Police Department has not yet responded to requests for further updates regarding the condition of the two surviving victims or the identity of the shooter.
