Eight Louisiana children killed in domestic violence shooting: police

Eight children between the ages of one and 14 in Louisiana were shot and killed in what police describe as an incident of domestic violence. Photo by Johannes EISELE /AFP/File

Article content

Eight children were killed in a shooting spree early Sunday in the southern U.S. state of Louisiana, in what police said appears to have been an incident of domestic violence.

Article content

The incident, which took place just after 6 a.m. EST in the city of Shreveport, was the deadliest mass shooting in the United States in more than two years, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.

Article content

Article content

Article content

The gunman, who was not immediately identified but was reportedly an adult male, was fatally shot by police after a car chase, officials said.

Article content

Article content

Police Corporal Chris Bordelon told a press conference that the “rather extensive crime scene” spanned three residences, which were being combed for evidence by investigators.

Article content

The victims ranged in age from one to 14, Bordelon said. Two other people were struck by gunfire, but their conditions were not immediately known.

Article content

“Some of the children inside were his descendants,” he added.

Article content

The suspect carjacked a vehicle and led police on a chase before officers opened fire and the assailant was killed. No officers were injured, according to state police.

Article content

“We do believe him to be the only individual that fired gunshots at these locations,” Bordelon said, calling the incident a “domestic disturbance.”

Article content

Police said more details about the victims and the gunman would be released pending notification of next of kin.

Article content

ABC affiliate KTBS reported that the two people wounded were adult women who were shot in the head. The network also said a male child was injured when he jumped from the roof of one of the homes.

Article content

Article content

One of Louisiana’s two U.S. senators, Republican Bill Cassidy, called the incident an episode of “horrific violence” and wished the survivors a speedy recovery.

Article content

Article content

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said he was “heartbroken.”

Article content

The United States, where firearms are readily available, is a frequent scene of gun violence, with thousands of people killed every year.

Article content

“It’s a terrible morning in Shreveport and we all mourn with the victims,” Mayor Tom Arceneaux said at the press conference.

Article content

Article content