Trending Now - Louisiana Man Arrested for Misleading Police on Shooter's Gun

WHO:

CBS News - Charles Ford, 56, is the man charged in connection with the mass shooting.

CBS News - Shamar Elkins is identified as the suspect who allegedly stole the gun and is the father of seven of the children killed.

CBS News - U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller made a statement regarding the case.

CBS News - Lindsay Nichols is the policy director for Giffords Law Center.

WHAT:

CBS News - Charles Ford faces charges for being a felon in possession of a firearm and making false statements to federal agents.

CBS News - Eight children were killed in a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana.

CBS News - The children who died ranged in age from 3 to 11 years old.

CBS News - Elkins died after fleeing from police during a pursuit, with the cause of death unclear.

WHERE:

CBS News - The mass shooting occurred in Shreveport, Louisiana.

CBS News - The incident unfolded across two houses.

WHEN:

CBS News - The mass shooting occurred on April 17th, 2026.

CBS News - Charles Ford noticed the gun was missing around March 9th, 2026.

CBS News - Elkins pleaded guilty to a felony in 2019 and was sentenced to 18 months of supervised probation.

WHY:

CBS News - Ford initially lied to investigators about the gun's whereabouts.

CBS News - The tragedy highlights issues of gun violence and the need for stronger gun control measures in Louisiana.

HOW:

CBS News - Ford confronted Elkins about the missing weapon but did not pursue the matter further after Elkins became "offensive."

CBS News - Authorities are tracing the firearm's history through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

(UPDATED April 22, 2026 13:22 UTC)

Charles Ford, 56, has been charged in connection with a tragic mass shooting that took place on Friday in Shreveport, Louisiana, where eight children aged between 3 and 11 were killed. The suspect identified as Shamar Elkins, who allegedly stole the gun, died after fleeing from police, and Ford faces charges for being a felon in possession of a firearm and making false statements to federal agents. U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller has commented on the case, which underscores ongoing concerns about gun violence and the need for stronger gun control measures in the state.