Share and Follow
According to recently released court documents, a man who once possessed the assault-style rifle responsible for the tragic deaths of eight children in Louisiana has informed investigators that he suspects Shamar Elkins stole it from his vehicle weeks before the tragic event in a Shreveport neighborhood.
Charles Ford, in statements to investigators detailed in a federal criminal complaint in Louisiana, shared his suspicions about Elkins—who was the father of seven of the slain children—because Elkins was among the few individuals who had ridden with him. Ford mentioned that he realized the firearm was missing around March 9.
Ford recounted confronting Elkins about the missing gun but chose to drop the matter when Elkins reacted defensively, as noted in a court affidavit submitted on Tuesday.
This affidavit supports federal charges against Ford, accusing him of being a felon in possession of a firearm and providing false information to federal agents. Initially, Ford denied ownership of the gun when questioned by investigators following the shooting, according to court records.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller stated, “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.”
Ford does not currently have an appointed legal representative and is expected to receive a federal public defender, according to federal court records.
An attorney who previously represented Ford could not immediately be reached for comment. Efforts to reach family members of Ford could not be immediately contacted at other phone numbers associated with him.
Elkins died after fleeing and a police pursuit. It was not clear whether he was killed by officers who fired or from a self-inflicted gunshot, according to police.
Elkins’ wife and another woman were also shot and wounded in the rampage, which unfolded across two houses before dawn.
Officials said the children who died — three boys and five girls — ranged in age from 3 to 11 years old.