After the shooting in the US state of Louisiana in which eight children were killed, the background to the crime remains unclear.
April 20, 2026, 05:36April 20, 2026, 05:36
According to preliminary findings, those killed were between 1 and 14 years old, said Chris Bordelon of the local police department. Seven of them are children of the 31-year-old suspect, who was also killed while escaping. Three other people were also injured in the crime in the city of Shreveport, including two women seriously.
The city of Shreveport, Louisiana is in shock.Image: keystone
The domestic argument occurred on Sunday morning (local time) in which the man opened fire on his partner, as Bordelon confirmed to the German Press Agency. The suspect then drove to another house and shot eight children and a woman. One of the dead children was found on the roof of the house – possibly after an attempt to escape.
Both women who were shot by the alleged perpetrator were injured, as was another young person. The women were in “very critical condition,” said Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux.
“What our officers found this morning is something no one should ever have to witness,” Bordelon said. It is one of the darkest days the community has ever experienced.
Gun incident with the most deaths in years
According to police, the suspect stole a car and fled, which led to a chase and an exchange of gunfire. The suspect was fatally injured.
According to CNN, this was the deadliest gun incident in the US in more than two years. In January 2024, eight people died from gunshot wounds near Chicago. The alleged perpetrator later took his own life.
Police chief promises quick clarification
Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said he wanted to provide “more and more conclusive information” about what happened at some point in the near future. In his 46 years of service, he has never experienced a tragedy of similar magnitude. Mayor Arceneaux said: “This is a tragic situation, perhaps the most tragic we have ever had in Shreveport. It’s a terrible morning.” His community is mourning.
The city of Shreveport in northwest Louisiana is close to the Texas border. With around 180,000 inhabitants, it is the third largest city in the state after New Orleans and Baton Rouge. (sda/dpa)