Domestic dispute likely cause of deadly Louisiana shooting

Published: 2026-04-20 16:37:20 ET APD

Published on 04/20/2026 at 04:37 pm EDT

STORY: :: Shreveport police say a domestic dispute likely caused the Louisiana shooting that killed eight children

:: Shreveport, Louisiana / April 20, 2026

:: Wayne Smith, Shreveport police chief

"This by far was probably one of the most challenging incidents that SPD has ever faced. Within the immediate short period after the first call came into SPD, our resources were deployed and at the same time we were working five different crime scenes. // All evidence and indications are that this erupted as a domestic dispute between parties that led in that direction. And the chances are good that this was not the first time." //

REPORTER: "Did the suspect take his own life? Or was he shot by officers?"

SMITH: "We are not sure, there was an exchange of gunfire. It has not been determined yet what was the exact cause of death. Louisiana State Police is investigating that. And I would have to defer all questions concerning that portion of this incident to them."

Police also said that it was not yet clear if the gunman, whom they identified as Shamar Elkins, was killed by police officers with whom he exchanged gunfire as he tried to flee in a car on Sunday or if he had taken his own life.

Elkins also shot two women, one of whom was his wife and the other of whom identified herself in a 911 call to police as Elkins' girlfriend, Smith said.

The girlfriend reported that Elkins had shot at her house a few blocks from where the eight children were killed, and that Elkins had taken her three children, whom police later found. The shooting at the girlfriend's house took place before the killing of eight children at another home, police said.

Both women remain hospitalized, Smith said.

Elkins was convicted in 2019 of illegal use of a firearm, police said, a felony that should have prevented him from owning a gun. The New York Times reported that a driver flashed a handgun at him and he responded by firing his gun five times, striking the driver's car. Reuters could not immediately verify that account.