Three mothers view eight murdered children in Shreveport
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · May 9
Three mothers view eight murdered children in Shreveport
1 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · May 9
The children, aged three to 11, were seen Friday in white caskets before a joint funeral on Saturday, weeks after Shamar Elkins killed them and wounded two mothers.
Supporters queued to pay respects, while one surviving daughter attended and families prepared burial items; all eight children will be buried at Forest Park Cemetery West.
Federal prosecutors also announced indictments against two men linked to firearms in the case, as the killings deepened local grief and renewed attention on domestic violence.
Beyond the shooter, who else will be held accountable for the massacre of 'the Eternal Eight' in Shreveport?
How did a veteran with known mental health issues obtain the assault rifle used to murder eight children?
Eight Children Killed in Shreveport: Inside the April 19, 2026 Cedar Grove Mass Shooting and Its Aftermath
Overview
On April 19, 2026, a tragic mass shooting in Cedar Grove, Shreveport, left eight children dead and two women injured, with Shamar Elkins identified as the perpetrator. Elkins was pronounced dead at the scene after a car chase ended in gunfire, though it remains unclear if he was shot by police or died by suicide. Authorities quickly launched comprehensive investigations, focusing on Elkins’s criminal history, mental health, and the circumstances of his death. The community responded with grief and support, while officials highlighted the urgent need to address domestic violence, gun safety, and mental health to prevent future tragedies.