In a heart-breaking incident, a man in Louisiana district of the United States fatally shot eight children, including seven of his own. The accused, identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, was also shot dead by police following a vehicle chase.
According to the police, the victims were between one and 14 years old. Two women, including the wife of the accused were also injured in the incident that took place in Shreveport neighborhood on Sunday.
“I just don’t know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
Shreveport Police Corporal Chris Bordelon told reporters that the incident “is a rather extensive crime scene spanning between two residences.”
The incident, said to be one of the deadliest mass shootings in the US in recent years, began at sunrise when the suspect shot a woman at one home and then drove to the other location.
“Seven children were killed inside the second house, and one was found dead on the roof after apparently trying to escape,” Bordelon said.
According to reports, the accused and his wife were in the middile of separating and were due in court Monday. The were reportedly arguing over the separation before the shooting began.