Not less than eight kids have been discovered fatally shot early Sunday in a house in Shreveport, La., after police investigated what they stated was a home violence name, based on authorities.
The incident occurred round 6 a.m. native time within the Cedar Grove neighborhood of South Shreveport, based on Shreveport Police Cpl. Chris Bordelon, who stated the suspect, whom he additionally stated was the daddy of seven of the deceased kids, was shot and killed after a police chase.
A number of different folks have been additionally injured within the incident, police stated.
Police stated the kids, siblings and one cousin together with three boys and 5 women ranging in age from 3 to 11, have been recognized by their moms 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 law enforcement officials stand behind crime scene tape as detectives acquire proof at two properties close by the place a suspect allegedly fatally shot eight kids, April 19, 2026.
KTSB
Bordelon stated police have been responding to a house within the South Shreveport neighborhood on a report of gunfire. “In doing so, we have decided that this was a home name in nature,” Bordelon stated.
He additional stated that the crime scene spanned two residences subsequent door to one another and a 3rd house close by.
“We’ve got three crime scenes simply right here in Shreveport. Considered one of them is extremely ugly in nature and it’s going to take a number of hours to course of,” Bordelon stated.
Bordelon stated seven of the deceased kids have been present in one of many properties, and that an eighth sufferer was discovered useless exterior the identical residence and “seemed like he had tried to flee the residence out the again on the roof.”
Home Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., in whose district the taking pictures occurred, stated his staff is “in contact” with native legislation enforcement and provided his “ideas and prayers” for the victims and their households.
One of many properties police have cordoned off as a part of a home violence investigation by which a suspect is alleged to have fatally shot eight kids, April 19, 2026.
KTSB
“Heartbreaking tragedy in Shreveport this morning – 8 kids have been senselessly killed and a number of others have been injured,” Johnson stated in a social media post. “We’re holding the victims, their households and family members, and our Shreveport neighborhood shut in our ideas and prayers throughout this extremely troublesome time.”
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry additionally posted a statement on social media, saying he and his spouse, Sharon, “are heartbroken over this horrific scenario, and we’re praying for everybody affected.”
“We’re deeply grateful to the legislation enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” Landry stated.
Two different taking pictures victims, each adults, have been discovered and police suspect they have been attacked by the identical suspect who killed the kids, Bordelon stated.
“We do know that a few of the kids inside have been his descendants,” Bordelon stated.
Bordelon additional stated that after allegedly committing the killings, the suspect, whose identify was not instantly launched, carjacked a car within the space.
“Shreveport patrol officers obtained behind that car and so they chased it into Bossier Parish, at which time limit Shreveport officers did discharge their firearms and that particular person is deceased,” Bordelon stated.
Shreveport Tom Arceneaux described the lethal incident as “perhaps the worst tragic scenario we have ever had in Shreveport.”
Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith stated his division is utilizing all of the sources it could to analyze the incident to find out “precisely what occurred.”
“I simply don’t know what to say,” Smith stated. “My coronary heart is simply shocked. I simply can not start to think about how such an occasion can happen.”
