Eight children were shot dead in Shreveport, Louisiana, on Sunday morning after a domestic dispute escalated into a multi-location shooting spree that ended with the gunman’s death during a police chase.
The shooting began around 6 a.m. On West 79th Street, where officers responding to a domestic disturbance call found multiple victims across three initial scenes: two homes on the block and a nearby residence on Harrison Street. Police spokesperson Christopher Bordelon described the scene as “extensive,” noting that victims ranged in age from 1 to 14 years classic.
After the initial shooting, the gunman carjacked a vehicle near the intersection of West 79th and Lynnwood, leading police on a pursuit into Bossier Parish. Officers shot and killed the suspect during the chase in the 400 block of Brampton Lane, bringing the total number of fatalities to nine, including the gunman.
Ten people were shot in total, according to authorities, with only two adult women surviving. One of the survivors sustained life-threatening injuries, including a gunshot wound to the head, and is believed to have been in a relationship with the suspect. The other survivor’s condition was not disclosed.
Investigators believe some of the children killed were related to the gunman, though police have not released details about the suspect’s identity or motive. Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith confirmed the incident stemmed from a domestic disturbance, echoing assessments from multiple agencies.
The crime scene ultimately spanned four locations: the two homes where the initial shooting occurred, the carjacking site, and the location where the suspect was killed in Bossier City. Authorities described the scene as unprecedented in scale for the region.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux called the incident “the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had” in the city of approximately 180,000 residents, while Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill expressed sorrow over the “senseless loss of life” and confirmed multiple agencies are involved in the investigation.
Neighbors described shock and disbelief, with longtime resident Mack London stating he had never witnessed violence of this magnitude on his street in over three decades of residence. The incident has drawn national attention, including a statement from Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, who represents the Shreveport area.
How many children were killed in the Shreveport shooting?
Eight children were killed, ranging in age from 1 to 14 years old.
What happened to the gunman?
The gunman was shot and killed by police during a pursuit from Shreveport into Bossier Parish after carjacking a vehicle.
Were there any survivors?
Two adult women survived the shooting; one sustained life-threatening injuries, including a gunshot wound to the head.
What is known about the motive?
Authorities have not released a motive but have confirmed the shooting began as a domestic disturbance and that some of the victims were related to the suspect.
