Shamar Elkins, the Louisiana mass shooting suspect, had shared a concerning message on social media just days before opening fire at multiple locations in Shreveport on Sunday.
Elkins killed eight children and injured several others in what police said appears to have been an incident of domestic violence.
The gunman was fatally shot after a car chase and interaction with police, officials said.
Police Corporal Chris Bordelon told a press conference that the ‘rather extensive crime scene’ spanned three residences, which were being combed for evidence by investigators.
The deceased ranged in age from one to 14, Bordelon added.
Just weeks before the shooting, Elkins shared a couple of concerning messages on Facebook, including a post that hinted at marriage troubles.
Mayor Tom Arceneaux revealed that the gunman had ties to two adult women who were also shot during the rampage, though the exact nature of those relationships remains unclear.
The scale of the violence has prompted reactions from top officials across the state and country, with many describing the attack as a ‘senseless tragedy’.
