Washington, April 20, (dpa/GNA) – Eight children were killed in a shooting in Shreveport on Sunday morning, following a “domestic disturbance,” local police in the US state of Louisiana said on Sunday.
The victims were between one and 14 years old, said police spokesman Chris Bordelon, citing preliminary findings.
“This is a very large scene with multiple deceased children present,” he added.
Shortly after 6 am (1100 GMT), a “domestic disturbance” occurred, during which an adult man opened fire, Bordelon said.
The perpetrator, said to be the father of some of the children, is believed to have acted alone. Two other people were injured.
The suspect fled the scene, and was later shot dead by police following a pursuit.
Bordelon stressed that there was no danger to the public, adding that the perpetrator’s motive was still unclear and under investigation.
Shreveport, a city of some 180,00 in north-western Louisiana, lies close to the border with Texas. It is the state’s third-largest city in terms of population, after New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the shooting as “a tragic situation, maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had in Shreveport.”
“Right now we’re going to process the information. It is in very good hands, but it’s a terrible morning,” he said.
Shreveport police chief Wayne Smith, said he wanted citizens to know that “all of my resources are out here, processing every piece of evidence and everything, and at some time in the near future, we’ll be able to give more conclusive information about exactly what took place.”
“I just don’t know what to say, you know? My heart is just taken aback. I just cannot begin to imagine how such an event can occur.”
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said he and his wife were “heartbroken over this horrific situation.”
“We’re deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he said in a statement on Facebook.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said she was “deeply saddened by the senseless loss of life.”
“Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating this tragic situation,” she wrote on X.
GNA