Neighbours of Shamar Elkins, the Louisiana man accused of killing eight children, have described the moment he was seen running from a house after the shooting. The incident, which occurred early Sunday in Shreveport, is the deadliest mass shooting in the US in over two years.
Police say Elkins shot the mother of seven of the children first, then killed the eight children, aged one to 12. Two women survived, one with life-threatening injuries believed to be a gunshot to the head. The suspect then carjacked a vehicle and led police on a high-speed chase before being shot and killed by officers.
Liza Demming, a neighbour, said her security camera captured Elkins running away and the sound of two shots. She later saw the covered body of a child on a roof. “He looks like the dad that comes over here,” she said, adding he had been with the children days earlier.
Pastor Marty T. Johnson Sr., who owns one of the homes where the shootings occurred, said a worker had rented it to the family. He plans to hold a prayer vigil and help with funeral costs. Louisiana State Police are investigating, and officials have expressed condolences.
