In a tragic development following a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, it has been revealed that the assault-style gun used in the crime was allegedly stolen weeks prior to the incident. Charles Ford has indicated that he suspects Shamar Elkins, the father of seven of the victims, stole the weapon from his truck.
The criminal complaint filed in federal court states that Ford noticed the gun was missing around March 9. After confronting Elkins, who reacted defensively, Ford chose not to pursue the matter further. Ford is now facing federal charges for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for allegedly lying to investigators about the weapon after the shooting incident.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller expressed the community's desire for justice: Elkins’ death means that our community will never see him face justice. Our hope…is that holding the person whose gun Elkins used to perpetrate the crime accountable will give some small bit of solace to our Shreveport community.
The shooting tragically resulted in the deaths of eight children, ages ranging from 3 to 11, with two others, including Elkins' wife, wounded. Details are still emerging as authorities work diligently to assess the implications of this shocking event on public safety and gun regulations.
