A woman and a child jumped from a rooftop to escape a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, where authorities say a father fatally shot eight children, including seven of his own.
Officials said they were first alerted to the gun attack in an emergency phone call at 05:55 CDT (11:55 GMT) on Sunday. The caller reported they were on top of the house while the suspect remained inside.
Police did not identify the survivors, or disclose their connection to the attacker, but said both were in stable condition.
The suspect died following a gun battle with officers, though it remains unclear whether he took his own life or was killed by police.
Two adult women, including the children's mother, were also hurt by gunfire and both were recovering in hospital, police said. A ninth child was taken to hospital after jumping from the roof of the home while escaping.
Among the eight children killed in the shooting — siblings and one cousin — were three boys and five girls, aged 3 to 11, according to the Caddo Parish coroner's office. Their mothers identified the children as Jayla Elkins, 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 7; Markaydon Pugh, 10; Sariahh Snow, 11; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Braylon Snow, 5.
Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith recounted the events, noting that within minutes of the initial emergency call, the caller reported she and her children had fled to the backyard.
The gunman attacked another home shortly after, leading to further chaos as a different emergency caller reported being shot by her boyfriend, who took her three children and fled.
Shortly after, a carjacking was reported, leading police to believe that children taken from the second residence may be inside that vehicle.
At about 06:29, officers located the suspect and exchanged gunfire with him. He was found dead at the scene with no children inside the car. Police have not yet established a motive.
Identified as Shamar Elkins, the suspect had a criminal history, though details were not provided. Authorities indicated that all evidence points to this incident stemming from a domestic dispute, as the weapon used was described as an assault-style weapon. How it was obtained remains unclear.
Officials stressed the need for the community to do more to prevent domestic violence, with Caddo Parish Sheriff Henry Whitehorn noting the opening of a new domestic violence center in the city just 10 days prior. He expressed disbelief that his community faced such a heartbreaking tragedy shortly after this event.
Officials said they were first alerted to the gun attack in an emergency phone call at 05:55 CDT (11:55 GMT) on Sunday. The caller reported they were on top of the house while the suspect remained inside.
Police did not identify the survivors, or disclose their connection to the attacker, but said both were in stable condition.
The suspect died following a gun battle with officers, though it remains unclear whether he took his own life or was killed by police.
Two adult women, including the children's mother, were also hurt by gunfire and both were recovering in hospital, police said. A ninth child was taken to hospital after jumping from the roof of the home while escaping.
Among the eight children killed in the shooting — siblings and one cousin — were three boys and five girls, aged 3 to 11, according to the Caddo Parish coroner's office. Their mothers identified the children as Jayla Elkins, 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 7; Markaydon Pugh, 10; Sariahh Snow, 11; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Braylon Snow, 5.
Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith recounted the events, noting that within minutes of the initial emergency call, the caller reported she and her children had fled to the backyard.
The gunman attacked another home shortly after, leading to further chaos as a different emergency caller reported being shot by her boyfriend, who took her three children and fled.
Shortly after, a carjacking was reported, leading police to believe that children taken from the second residence may be inside that vehicle.
At about 06:29, officers located the suspect and exchanged gunfire with him. He was found dead at the scene with no children inside the car. Police have not yet established a motive.
Identified as Shamar Elkins, the suspect had a criminal history, though details were not provided. Authorities indicated that all evidence points to this incident stemming from a domestic dispute, as the weapon used was described as an assault-style weapon. How it was obtained remains unclear.
Officials stressed the need for the community to do more to prevent domestic violence, with Caddo Parish Sheriff Henry Whitehorn noting the opening of a new domestic violence center in the city just 10 days prior. He expressed disbelief that his community faced such a heartbreaking tragedy shortly after this event.
