A gunman in Shreveport, Louisiana, killed eight children in what police described as a domestic violence incident early Sunday morning, making it the deadliest mass shooting in the United States in more than two years. The victims ranged in age from one to 14 years old, and two other people were also wounded. The suspected shooter, an adult male whose name was not immediately released, was fatally shot by police following a car chase after the attack.
The shootings took place across two homes on the same block south of downtown Shreveport, a city of around 180,000 residents in northwestern Louisiana, with a third location also forming part of the crime scene. Police said officers were first called to one of the residences shortly before 6:00 a.m. local time, where they discovered the children. The gunman subsequently carjacked a vehicle and fled, leading police on a pursuit into the neighbouring city of Bossier City, where officers opened fire and killed the suspect. Authorities confirmed that some of the children were related to the shooter.
"This is an extensive scene, unlike anything most of us have ever seen," said Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith, who added that he could not begin to imagine how such an event could occur. Mayor Tom Arceneaux called it "maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had in Shreveport," and asked for prayers for the grieving families and the wider community. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said he and his wife were "heartbroken," while House Speaker Mike Johnson, who represents the district, described it as a "heartbreaking tragedy" and praised the swift response of local law enforcement.
The Louisiana State Police have been asked to lead the investigation, and multiple other agencies are assisting. Authorities confirmed no officers were injured during the pursuit. State police are asking anyone with photographs, video footage, or relevant information to come forward.
According to a mass shooting database maintained by the Associated Press, USA Today, and Northeastern University, this is the deadliest such incident in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024. The attack renews attention to gun violence rooted in domestic disputes, which advocates have long identified as a serious but often under-addressed driver of mass casualty events in the United States.