A man previously used an assault-style handgun Eight children were killed in Louisiana He told investigators he believed Shamar Elkins stole it from his truck in the weeks before the attack in a Shreveport neighborhood, according to court documents released Tuesday.
Charles Ford told investigators that he suspected Elkins, the father of seven children who were killed, because he was one of the few people who rode with him, according to a criminal complaint filed in Louisiana federal court. Ford allegedly said it was around March 9 when he noticed the gun was missing.
Ford said he confronted Elkins about the missing weapon. But when Elkins became “aggressive,” Ford “let him go,” according to an affidavit filed in court Tuesday.
The affidavit supports federal charges accusing Ford of being a felon in possession of a firearm and making false statements to federal agents. He originally denied having the gun when investigators first approached him after Sunday’s shooting, according to court records.
“Elkins’ death means our community will never see him face justice,” U.S. Attorney Zachary Keller said in a statement. “Our hope, as we continue to investigate and prosecute this case alongside our law enforcement partners, is that holding accountable the individual whose gun Elkins used to commit the crime will provide some solace to our Shreveport community.”
Ford currently does not have an appointed legal representative and is expected to obtain a federal public defender, according to federal court records.
The attorney who previously represented Ford could not immediately be reached for comment. Efforts to reach Ford’s family members were not immediately available at other phone numbers associated with him.
Elkins died after fleeing and being pursued by police. It was not clear whether he was killed by officers firing or from a gunshot wound, according to police.
Elkins’ wife and another woman were also shot in the attack, which occurred at two homes before dawn.
Officials said Children who died – Three boys and five girls – ranging in age from 3 to 11 years.
Elkins pleaded guilty in 2019 to felony unlawful use of a weapon, according to court documents. As a result, a Caddo Parish District Judge sentenced Elkins to 18 months’ probation, and Elkins turned his gun over to police as a condition of his probation, court files show.
Under Louisiana law, a person convicted of certain violent crimes — including the illegal use of weapons — is prohibited from possessing a gun for at least 10 years after the end of their sentence and probation.
Officials did not address whether Elkins was legally prohibited from possessing a gun.
The tragedy in Louisiana is one of the nation’s The deadliest mass shootings In recent years.
“Families should be able to feel safe at home, but this tragedy shows how gun violence can devastate people’s lives in an instant,” said Lindsey Nichols, policy director at the Giffords Law Center, an organization aimed at reducing gun violence.
For many years, advocates for stronger gun control have sought to tighten Louisiana’s loose firearms regulations. Democrats routinely propose red flag laws, but reliably red state Republicans block such measures.