SHREVEPORT, La. — Eight children between the ages of 1 and 14 were killed during a mass shooting in Louisiana.
Police said the children were among 10 people who were shot during a “domestic disturbance” Sunday morning in Shreveport but made clear that the details of the investigation were still unfolding.
It was the nation’s deadliest mass shooting in more than two years.
Shreveport Police spokesperson Christopher Bordelon shared preliminary information about the investigation during a brief news conference held midday Sunday.
Bordelon said police were investigating a “very large scene” across four locations.
Police responded around 6 a.m. local time to a call about a domestic disturbance in a residential neighborhood. They found a crime scene at two homes on the same street and a third on a street nearby.
Shreveport Police said the suspected gunman carjacked a vehicle near the crime scenes and led law enforcement on a pursuit that ended in nearby Bossier City, which police identify as the fourth scene.
Officers shot and killed the man, who they believe is the only gunman, police said.
The man’s children were believed to be among the dead, police said.
“It’s a terrible morning in Shreveport,” said Mayor Tom Arceneaux during the news conference.
“We have a hurting community,” Arceneaux said. “We have hurting families. And we have hurting police officers, coroners’ personnel, fire department, sheriffs’ people — this affects the entire community. We all mourn with these families.”
When police confirmed the details about the children during the news conference, attendees were heard crying out and gasping after learning about the tragic developments.
“I just don’t know what to say,” said Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith. “My heart is just taken aback. I just cannot begin to imagine how such an event can occur.”
Police expect to release the name of the shooting suspect and more information about the investigation in the coming days.
Liza Demming, who lives two houses down from where one of the attacks happened, said her security camera captured video of the suspect running away along with the sound of two shots.
“That’s’ pretty much all I saw, was him running out of the house and the cars leaving,” she said.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is from Shreveport, said in separate statements that they were heartbroken and praised law enforcement for their response.
“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,” Johnson said in a statement.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
This story is developing and will be updated as information becomes available.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
