A shocking new development has taken place in Louisiana as a second person has been arrested in connection with the horrifying murders where father Shamar Elkins killed his seven children and their cousin.
Authorities say 56-year-old Charles Ford has now been charged by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana. He faces serious accusations, including being a felon in possession of a firearm and allegedly making false statements to federal agents.
Investigators believe these charges are tied to the weapon reportedly used by suspect Shamar Elkins. It’s the same gun authorities say was used in the horrific shooting on Sunday, April 19, where Shamar Elkins killed his seven children, their cousin, and left his girlfriend and wife injured.
Police have previously stated he used an assault style pistol, and a handgun was also recovered. However, at the time, it’s unknown which gun he used to murder the children.
It has sent shockwaves through the nation. As the investigation continues, officials are working to piece together exactly how the firearm ended up in Shamar Elkin’s hands.
Man allegedly securing gun Shamar Elkins used to kill 8 children with, arrested
Per KSLA, Ford faces up to 15 years in federal prison for the possession charge and up to five years for the false statement charge.
“Words fall short in the face of the acts Shamar Elkins perpetrated in Shreveport on April 19—they are beyond comprehension or description. Our law enforcement partners are investigating every angle of how this tragedy came to occur, and this case arises from that investigation—in particular, how Elkins secured a firearm that he used to execute his own children,” United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller said, per KSLA..
“Elkins’ death means that our community will never see him face justice. Our hope, as we continue to investigate and prosecute this case alongside our law enforcement partners, 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.”
It was on Sunday morning that the police responded to a call at the house in Shreveport, Louisiana. Police found eight children dead and two women injured.
Deadliest U.S mass shooting in more than two years
The suspect, identified as the father of seven of the children, Shamar Elkins, was later killed by police following a carjacking. It’s unknown whether police fatally shot him or if he took his own life.
On Monday, Shreveport Corporal Christopher Bordelon gave horrifying details on what officers found inside the house. The Shreveport murders are the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024.
“There’s blood and bodies everywhere,” Bordelon told People Magazine. “Some were shot in the bed, some were shot trying to get away.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family amid this horrifying tragedy.
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