In the United States, eight children aged 1 to 14 shot dead in Louisiana, suspect killed by police

Eight children were shot dead in Shreveport, Louisiana (United States), in a massacre where the suspect was later shot dead by the police, the city authorities announced on Sunday, April 19. Responding to reports of violence, police officers found victims in two homes, as highlighted by the police in a press conference, noting that a third location is part of the investigation.

In total, at least ten people were shot, “including eight who were killed, aged one to fourteen,” it was specified. “Some were the suspect’s children,” added the police representative. The man, whose identity has not been revealed, was pursued by the police after forcibly taking a car. He was shot by the police during the pursuit. Local police believe he is the sole suspect in this case.

No officers were injured, as stated by the Louisiana State Police, who are involved in the investigation. Governor Jeff Landry said he was “heartbroken” and stated that he prays “for all those affected.” According to local television station KTBS, two adults were shot in the head and two women, while a young man was injured after jumping from a roof.

According to data from the Gun Violence Archive NGO, this is the deadliest toll of a shooting incident in the United States since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024.