Pastor James Green (00:00):
I want to acknowledge the leadership standing with us today: Mayor Tom Arceneaux, Chief Wayne Smith, Sheriff Whitehorn, Marshal Jefferson, Caddo School Superintendent Keith Burton, all of our members of the city council, Councilman Gary Brooks, Councilman Grayson Boucher, Councilwoman Ursula Bowman, Councilwoman Chair Tabatha Taylor, Councilman Jim Taliaferro. This has deeply impacted our families and our communities. We recognize the grief. We want to pause right now and thank our first responders. In fact, we'd ask that you would pray for them because this is something that would affect them for the rest of their lives. So we pause and say to them, thank you. Would you be kind enough to give them a great big hand? We join our partners all across this city and the parish. We are grateful for those responders who responded quickly. Again, here we stand with the community. At this time, I want to give some points as to how to cope with situations and giving condolences to all that have been affected. There's an initial shock, which is coming. People often feel numb, disbelief right after a tragedy. In being connected to this district for just about 16 years, it is what I would consider a gut-wrenching situation it takes to win out of your self. Emotions can be overwhelming. Grief, anger, confusion, sadness may come and it may go in waves. Support is very important. We thank all of the agencies that showed up on yesterday and is showing up on today.
(02:18)
What do you do when life takes an unexpected turn? When life take an unexpected turn, the goal isn't to fix everything right away. It is to steady yourself enough to move forward, to become grounded. How do we deal with unexpected tragedies, events? One, you give yourself room to react. You might feel stressed, and it's okay. You might feel angry, but it's okay. Certainly, to have a loss, you will feel the pain, but it's okay. Because today, if we put God first, it will make a difference in our lives. Sometimes it takes time to adjust, but if we trust God, we'll make it. We got to lean on people. We got to lean on resources. At this moment, I might be strong. In the next moment, I might be weak. But we got to be able to say to somebody, "Is it okay if I lean on you?"
(03:36)
Sometimes we focus on what we cannot control. There come a time that we have to put it all in the Lord's hand. Trusting God in the time of crisis. Crisis has ways of shaking everything about us: our plans, our peace, even our faith. It can come suddenly, bad news, loss, uncertainty, pressures we don't even see coming. The real question is not whether or not crisis will come, but the real question is, how will we respond to the crisis? Take your crisis to God first. Acknowledge who he is. Ask God for specific help. Leave the outcome into the hands of God. Do what you can, but release what you cannot handle. Stop trying to focus on outcome. Rest in God's ability to handle what you cannot. Don't panic. Pray. Don't focus on fear; focus on God. Don't hold on. Release it and put it into the hands of the Lord, and he will make a difference in your life.
(05:02)
Ask what the word of God has said, if this earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved, I believe in my heart that these that died on yesterday are in the presence of the Lord. He says, "And we know that all things work together for the good." We know it. We believe it because our faith is strong. We believe that this situation, even though it's a tragedy, but it's going to bring us together for the good, and we'll be able to give God the glory after it's all over. So at this point in time, we're going to ask that Mayor Tom Arceneaux will come. After that, Council Chair Tabatha Taylor will come.
Mayor Tom Arceneaux (06:00):
Thank you, Pastor. We stand in difficult times. One of the things that I think is most important, is that if you are experiencing abuse and violence in your home, seek the resources. Don't stay where you are. Seek the resources to escape. The biggest lesson that we have is that we must protect those who cannot protect themselves. There are resources available. Take advantage of those resources. We mourn for these children. We mourn for the women who are recovering, we hope. We pray for their recovery and healing. And we ask that the community draw together to give support to these families and these victims.
Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor (06:53):
Good morning. On this morning, Satonia Small and I, who's an advocate in the Cedar Grove area, had the opportunity to go and speak with some of the family members of the victims that we lost on yesterday. The family wanted us to express to you all to allow them to grieve and to go through this process because this is not a process that is easy for them by any means. They want you to allow the Shreveport Police Department to do their job in this investigation. I also wanted you to know to continue to pray for their families, but also wanted you to understand that seven of those children belong to Mr. Elkins who took their lives, and one did not. They wanted to ensure that you all had correct and precise information.
(07:49)
This is a difficult, difficult process. At this point, what they are trying to do is to wrap their mind around what has occurred in their family. How do they navigate through this? So if it's anything that you can do for them right now is to keep them the priority. I'm going to say it again. Keep them the priority and respect their wishes. Respect their wishes as their loved ones go through surgery, and they're healing, and they're in a dark place because they don't know how to wrap their minds around all of this. Leave the social media chatter alone, thinking that you know everything when you do not. The best thing that you can do for them is to allow them to navigate again through this devastating, traumatic process.
(08:51)
From that point, as we respect their wishes, as they plan for the burial of the children and the grandchildren, I want you to think about the mothers that are the survivors, because they are three mothers at this point, one is in surgery at this time, that are going to be faced with immense pain, that's going to need all of us, the community long-term counseling, the father that is left here to grieve their child. I want you to remember that more than anything, because it's people first. It's not your stories. It's not who posted first. It's them. It's all about them. And that as a community, as a nation in this country, and for all of the accolades that we have received here, the prayers of support from Canada, from Belgium, that I want you to understand that domestic violence is nobody's joke. It is real, and these are the residual effects of what happens if we're not paying attention. It is a concerted, collaborative effort for us all to make. You have to be intentional about that because we are faced with a devastating tragedy in this city at this point in time.
(10:27)
We don't have all of the answers, but you can rest assured that the work that we started will continue, and we will fight this on behalf of this family. But right now, I am asking all of you to keep them lifted, to keep them lifted and pray for them like you've never prayed before.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Amen.
Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor (10:51):
This is what I'm asking of you from them. As a community, as a city, as a state, as a nation, I know that we can do it. We've done it before, and we'll do it again.
Pastor James Green (11:08):
Thank you. At this time, we'd like to call the chairman of our public safety, Councilman Grayson Boucher.
Councilman Grayson Boucher (11:22):
Good morning. Thank you, Reverend Green. Thank you, Chairwoman Taylor, Mayor Arceneaux. First and foremost, when I woke up yesterday morning to the news of this, I was at a loss of words what to say to the community, because so many times in our society today, we stop at neighborhood boundaries, we stop at city boundaries, we stop at parish boundaries, "Oh, that's not my neighborhood. Why should I care?" This impacts our entire community. These children went to school all over the city. Just think of the trickle-down effect for the small kids that were looking forward to seeing their friend come to school today and having to learn that their best friend had passed away. That's a hard pill to swallow for a small child.
(12:16)
So first and foremost, please pray for this family, continue to pray for this family. Like Councilwoman Taylor said, this is not clickbait on your Facebook. If you could see my phone and the misinformation that has been sent to me today and yesterday, it would astound you. It's more like, "I know more than you do about this situation." What's so unfortunate about it is, our police officers from three, four different jurisdictions are working three different scenes. There is no way that anyone can have information 100% until these officers finish their investigation.
Councilman Grayson Boucher (13:00):
So please, to the citizens of Shreveport, regardless of what neighborhood you live in, from MLK to Southern Trace, to Pines Road, to Stoner Hill, let the police department do their job. We have great officers and this misinformation that's floating around is not good.
(13:20)
Secondly, I would like to also remind everyone that in the City of Shreveport, we have a true epidemic of domestic violence. And that is something that should be a top priority of the city's administration, the city council, and law enforcement.
(13:38)
There are all kinds of avenues that people can reach out to. If you have an issue and you feel unsafe, don't stay in that situation. Sheriff Whitehorn just opened up a domestic violence center. His department is well-equipped to handle situations like this. It's staffed well. Please, if you feel like that you are in danger or your family members are in danger, reach out to them.
(14:05)
There are also nonprofits like Project Celebration, Family Justice Center. There are plenty of avenues that we can reach out to. If a child feels uncomfortable, and you're a teenager and you feel uncomfortable in your environment, go to your school counselor. Mr. Burton has counselors all over the Caddo Parish School System that can assist.
(14:24)
This is a tragedy. This is heartbreaking. In my eight years of being on the city council and my 24 years of being a firefighter, this has to be the worst event that I've seen. Lastly, I want to say, please lift up in prayer the first responders. I can tell you this will live with them forever. It will. They had to leave that scene yesterday and probably go home and hug their babies tight. This is a tragedy and this will stay with them forever. So, please, let's come together as a community, let's come together as a nation, and let's pray for this family, pray for our city, pray for our state and pray for our nation. Thank you.
Pastor James Green (15:11):
Thank you. At this time, we would like for our State Senator Sam Jenkins would come, and did I see Tammy... Representative Phelps. Was she here? If not, Senator, will you come?
Senator Sam Jenkins (15:26):
Good morning and thank you, Reverend Green, for including the state in this conference this morning. It is a tragic situation. It is getting statewide attention. I've heard from people all over the state that are sending condolences to the family and expressing concern for Shreveport and for our community. I have had conversations with the governor. He's very concerned. I think you'll be hearing more from him as the day goes on. I want to take this opportunity to say how important it is not to forget what happened on yesterday, but to react to it in a way that will help us address domestic violence. In the legislature, we are passing bills, every session, to try to strengthen our laws on domestic violence, but this is becoming a matter where we need to put forth resources, manpower, woman power, talents at every level.
(16:46)
At the root of many of these situations are social concerns, behavioral and mental concerns that need to be addressed. I applaud Sheriff Whitehorn for what he's doing in this area. I applaud many of the advocates that have said to us time and time again, "We need to do more so that we will not see situations like what played out here in Shreveport early on a Sunday morning."
(17:20)
I hope that all of us will become recommitted to that effort, not just with lip service, but with resources and with the talent and with the desire to have a consistent means of tracking domestic violence, addressing it, and intervening. As they say, you as a community has to be a big part of that. If you see something, say something. That does not mean you're getting anybody in trouble. It means you are stopping trouble from coming. So, please do that as a community. Thank you, Reverend Green, for this opportunity to make these expressions this morning. I know that the community is in shock. Let's work together as the days ahead come upon us to address the family, to address the community. May God bless each of you. May God bless this great city that we live in, and may God continue to bless the great State of Louisiana.
Pastor James Green (18:26):
Thank you. At this time, we'll have Chief Wayne Smith. After Chief Wayne Smith will be Sheriff Whitehorn. After Sheriff Whitehorn will be Marshall James Jefferson. After the Marshall come, the superintendent, Keith Burton will come. And also, I'm sorry. And along with the state police, I'm sorry. We'll have a [inaudible 00:19:00] person in front of you.
Chief Wayne Smith (19:02):
Our deepest condolences goes out to the families, to everyone that's involved with this particular incident. I asked my fellow team members to come up with me because in being a first responder and being a true public servant, we are truly a team, and all of us work together for the good of our community.
(19:29)
November 19th, the early mornings of that day will go down in history, be written in the pages of history, as one of the worst days that could have ever happened here in Shreveport. About 5:55 AM on Sunday morning, Shreveport Police received the first call regarding a disturbance at a resident in the 300 block of West 79th Street. The caller stated that they were on top of a house. The suspect was inside, and that a male had been shot.
(20:15)
Three minutes later at 5:58, dispatch received an additional call indicating the suspect was a relative of the caller. A minute later, 5:59 AM, dispatch was advised that approximately nine individuals resided at the location. The caller further stated that the suspect identified as Shamar Elkins had shot everyone inside the home.
(20:49)
At 6:00 AM, one minute later, the caller advised that she and her children had fled from the roof and were now in the backyard. 6:01 AM, officers arrived on the scene. 6:03, officers made contact with the caller at the residence. At 6:05, approximately, officers requested the Shreveport Fire Department to stage at a nearby location close to Linwood. 6:07 AM, a second call was received regarding a shooting in the 500 block of Harrison Street. The caller stated that her boyfriend had shot her, taken her three children and fled the scene. 6:08 AM, the victim identified the suspect as Shamar Elkins. At 6:10, dispatch linked the Harrison Street shooting with the shooting on West 79th Street and that they all were related.
(22:13)
At 6:15, officers received information that the suspect had carjacked a red Kia Sportage at West 79th, closest to Linwood. At 6:17 AM, our traffic units out on random patrol encountered or observed that particular vehicle traveling southbound on Interstate 49. The officers advised at 6:18 that they were crossing the Red River Bridge into Bossier City. At 6:20, officers received information that the children taken from the Harrison Street resident may be inside of the fleeing vehicle.
(23:06)
6:23 AM, officers advised that they were exiting near Swan Lake area. 6:25 AM approximately officers located the injured victims from the Harrison Street shooting. 6:29 AM, officers made contact with the suspect through an exchange of gunfire. At 6:30 AM, officers confirmed contact with the suspect in the 400 block of Brompton Lane.
(23:45)
6:40 AM, officers advised that the suspect vehicle was empty and no children were located inside. 6:43 AM, officers cleared the residence of West 79th Street where multiple deceased victims were located. 7:03 AM, Shamar Elkins was pronounced deceased at the scene on Brompton Lane.
(24:16)
7:14 AM, the Shreveport Police Department contacted the Louisiana State Police Investigative Division, and they began their deployment to the Bossier City address to begin to investigate the officer-involved shooting.
(24:35)
This by far was probably one of the most challenging incidents that SPD has ever faced. Within the immediate short period after the first call came into SPD, our resources were deployed, and at the same time, we were working five different crime scenes. I can't let the SPD officers know how appreciative I am for them for maintaining professionalism throughout this entire event. Staying strong, staying poised, doing what they were trained to do. I am so proud of all of them. I am so proud, and I thank all of my community team members, the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Department. Immediately, I received a call from the Caddo Paris Sheriff Department asking, "What resource you need? What can we do to help?" That's what we do.
(25:40)
I immediately received a call from our city marshal's office, James Jefferson, that said the same thing. "We're here. What do we need to do to help?" Louisiana State Police, I can't thank all of you gentlemen so much for being there for us. I immediately received call from the director of
Chief Wayne Smith (26:00):
The FBI from the director of the ATF ready to deploy resources to assist in this effort. In the times to come, we will be offering peer assistance, counseling, and whatever is needed to our first responders that responded to that scene yesterday. Our investigators who was in the scene, our crime scene investigators, and the list just goes on and on and on. Throughout an event of this nature, we redeploy resources from anywhere in town to neutralize the threat and make the area safe. And those are the prime times when our team members come in to assist us keeping our city safe in other areas.
(26:54)
And I can't thank you guys so much for all that you do. But the investigation has not concluded. There are still bits and pieces coming in to put this bizarre puzzle together. So, bear with us in due time and more information will be coming forth as new information is learned.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
Good morning. I also want to thank Councilman Green for pulling this press conference together. Just 10 days ago, we stood as a community to announce the opening of the Cattle Sheriff's Office Domestic Violence Unit. That announcement was a step forward in protecting victims and supporting families and strengthening our response to domestic violence. I don't believe any of us could have imagined that only days later. Our community would be shaken by the most heartbreaking tragedies that we have ever witnessed. Eight innocent children losing their lives as a result of domestic violence. There are no words that can fully capture the death of this loss.
(28:18)
No words that can ease the pain the families of the families who are grieving. No words that can explain the weight of eight young lives taken for too soon. To the families affected, our hearts are with you. Our prayers are with you. And our commitment to you is unwavering. Your children mattered. Their lives mattered and their memory will not be forgotten. But today I must speak to the leaders of this community, to the elected officials, to our faith leaders, service providers, law enforcement, educators, and every person who holds influence in this parish. And I asked you a question that we can no longer avoid. How much are the lives of these victims worth?
(29:26)
Because the truth is this, domestic violence is not a private issue. It's not a family issue. It is a community issue. And when we fail to respond in a coordinated, consistent and compassionate way, people die. This tragedy is a painful reminder that we cannot afford to work in silos. We cannot afford to wait until the next crisis. We cannot afford to treat domestic violence as an afterthought. We must ensure that every victim, every mother, every father, every child has access to safety, support, and intervention before the violence escalates. So, today, I'm calling on every leader in this parish to join us in building a fully coordinated community-wide response to domestic violence.
(30:36)
A response where law enforcement, social workers, social services, and the courts communicate in real time. Faith communities stand as safe havens and advocates. Schools recognize warning signs and know where to turn. Hospitals and mental health providers are fully integrated into the system. Offenders are held accountable and monitored, and victims are never left to navigate these dangers alone. This is not the responsibility of one agency. This is not the responsibility of one department. This is the responsibility of all of us. We owe it to the eight children we lost. We owe it to every victim who is suffering in silence right now, and we owe it to the future of this community.
(31:36)
Let their memory be a turning point. Let their lives be the reason we refuse to go back to business as usual. Let this tragedy move us from conversation to coordination, from awareness to action, and from reaction to prevention. Because the lies of these victims, their worth is immeasurable. And our response must reflect that truth. God bless you and thank you.
Speaker 4 (32:19):
Thank you, Councilman Green. A lot of times, when you are lost for words, the only thing you can rely on is God and know that God is able. The Shreveport City Marshals extends our deepest condolence to the families, loved ones of the children that was tragically lost their lives in a devastating domestic violence incident. This is heartbreaking. This loss has shaken our entire community. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are affected during this unimaginable time of grief. No words can fully express the sorrow of these young lives taken too soon. We also lift up the prayers of all law enforcement and fire officials who responded and had to endure such a tragic and on a heartbreaking scene. I encourage anyone that's impacted by this tragedy to seek support. No one should have to endure this pain alone. I'm going to say that again. Now more than ever, we must stand together. Check on one another. Be present in our children's lives. Speak life over them. Most important, protect them. Cover our families in prayer and in love. The Bible says there's a time, a place, and a season for everything. On yesterday, our community witnessed something that we never would have imagined. On a Sunday morning war where most people get up getting ready to go to church, not to have something like this to rock our community. We must stand together and fight this fight as one team.
(34:45)
When we stand together, we can make a difference in someone's life. May God bless the city of Shreveport and may God bless the families that was affected.
Speaker 3 (35:02):
Thank you to the mayor, sheriff, Marshall, city council members, everyone present. The Caterpillar School Board members joined me today to wrap arms around this district and around this community. It's a reality in 2026 that school districts must be prepared for active shooters. That's just a reality. Unfortunately, we're never prepared when one of those active shooters is a family member and it happens outside at that child's home. I wanted to let you know that my staff and I have visited both of the schools where those children attended. We have checked on those teachers.
(35:47)
We have sent numerous counselors and mentors and also provided safe places at those schools where a child, and matter of fact, just this morning I saw a classmate of one of the kindergartners just walking silently down the hall. And as she walked into that calming room, that counseling, that place of safety, she spoke to no one. She just put her head on the shoulder of one of those counselors and just cried. I also want to tell you the story of the principal that I talked to on the way to school this morning as she was getting ready to speak to all the staff to support the students.
(36:33)
And she said, "Mr. Burton, one of the things that's important that I want everybody to know is one of those six year olds I just celebrated last week." Matter of fact, he had taken his DIBELS test that was testing his literacy rates. And when he first tested at the beginning of the year, he was well below basic. And just last week, I had the opportunity to celebrate him because he had met his bench smart goals and last week he was celebrated. And I think it's naive for us to think that anyone that's experiencing domestic violence is going to drive to a facility and get help.
(37:13)
We all know of the kids, we all know of the neighbors, we all know of the community members out there who we know are experiencing this type of violence. Let's not let this day end without us being active and promoting getting them support. We will continue the support that we provided this morning and thank you all and I join all of the area leaders in wrapping arms around this community and we will continue to do that. Thank you.
Pastor James Green (37:50):
Thank you all of our partners and all of you that are here, our media partners as well. We continue to keep those who this has impacted the center of our thoughts and our prayers. As a community, we must remain focused on supporting one another and lifting up those who are hurting. Our community faced great challenges, but I believe that we can make it through. We will not allow this moment to define who we are nor who our city is. Sometimes in life we have to ask the question, who comforts the comforter in times like these? And so, I'd like to leave with you all
Pastor James Green (39:01):
... if this situation was at a ceremony at church and one would ask me the question, "Pastor, how do you handle death?"
Audience (39:12):
Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Pastor James Green (39:14):
Now, I don't have all the answers, but I do have three things that we could do. Number one, we love them. For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. After we love them, we lose them because when this earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved, we got another building and that building is not made with hands. We love them, we lose them. And lastly, we lean on Jesus. I'd just like for you to do one thing for me and we'll close this out, but would you just tell somebody, lean on Jesus?
Audience (39:57):
Lean on Jesus. Lean on Jesus.
Pastor James Green (40:01):
And how we lean on Jesus is because we testify to the fact that the Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want. Again, we'd like to thank all of you for coming. We're going to ask that my friend and brother, Dr. Jerome Cox, would come and offer a closing word of prayer. And again, thank you all for coming. On this evening at six o'clock, there will be a prayer visual at the location at Linwood and 79th and also on Wednesday night at six o'clock there will be a prayer visual there at the same place. But there were members of the family here. Are they still here?
Speaker X (40:41):
[inaudible 00:40:44].
Pastor James Green (40:43):
Did they leave?
Speaker X (40:43):
[inaudible 00:40:46].
Pastor James Green (40:46):
Huh?
Speaker X (40:46):
[inaudible 00:40:48].
Pastor James Green (40:47):
Okay. We ask that you would just continue to pray for them. At this time, Dr. Cox will give us our closing prayer.
Dr. Jerome Cox (40:56):
Thank you, Pastor Green. Let us pray. Father, we recognize what the word tragedy means, a great loss of sorrow or disaster. We understand the impact it has had on this community and we're asking You, God, to grant us a measure of comfort. We need You to provide comfort to that family. Let our prayers be a blanket that will cover them with such love that they can rest in it. We trust You, God, because we know that at the end of the day, only You can provide a measure of comfort that is needed.
(41:37)
Our city has been rocked to the core. We have been tested today, Lord. So, what we're asking you is grant us some measure of favor, some insight as to how we move forward. And the way we do it is leaning on you and trusting that all is well in the bosom of God. Bless our city council, bless our mayor's office, bless the commission and all of those that are in the midst. We ask that the media tell this story that will bring peace and comfort to this family.
(42:16)
This is what we need, unity. So, today we pray above all that God, You would galvanize us together. That we'll be closer, stronger, and wiser together, knowing that what this has done, it has not divided us, but it's united us for a greater good, for a greater cause. We don't know that at this moment, but we're trusting You to shine light on that. Because today, in spite of the struggle, it's a good day, God, because it's a day in which we bring about hope, hope for the family, hope for our community, and hope for the greater good.
(42:53)
In Christ's name, we pray. Amen and amen.
Audience (42:56):
Amen.
Pastor James Green (42:57):
And lastly, we'd like to thank Dr. Ralph Johnson who is liaising on with the council for pulling and doing his part to make all of this happen. At this time, if there are any questions for anyone, we will have question and answers at this particular time. Yes, sir.
Speaker 7 (43:18):
Can I talk to Chief Smith.
Pastor James Green (43:18):
Chief Smith?
Speaker 7 (43:19):
Chief Smith. You and other leaders have been talking about the domestic violence issue in the city repeatedly over the course of the year.
Chief Wayne Smith (43:26):
That's correct.
Speaker 7 (43:27):
Included in your comments have been that domestic violence is preventable and we, as a community, need to do better. Was this situation preventable? How can we do better?
Chief Wayne Smith (43:36):
I would have to say to some degree, yes. All evidence and indications are that this erupted as a domestic dispute between parties that led in that direction. And the chances are good that this was not the first time. As has been said and can be confirmed, usually domestic violence extends over the period of time. There are multiple incidents, and eventually, it leads up to maybe similar violence that we saw this past weekend. So, it's been said quite a bit throughout today, help is available for everyone. If you see something, say something.
Speaker 6 (44:23):
Chief-
Speaker 5 (44:25):
Chief, can we clarify the Bossier City end of this? Did the suspect take his own life or was he shot by officers?
Chief Wayne Smith (44:34):
We are not sure. There was an exchange of gunfire. It has not been determined yet what was the exact cause of death. Louisiana State Police is investigating that, and I would have to defer all questions concerning that portion of this incident to them.
Speaker 8 (44:52):
But you can confirm that SPD officers did fire at the suspect?
Chief Wayne Smith (44:58):
Yes. Yes.
Speaker 8 (45:00):
But it's unclear if he took his life if he may have fired the shot initially and then they fired in response?
Chief Wayne Smith (45:06):
That, I don't know. Certainly, as I said, the Louisiana State Police, at some point or another, will have definitive information about what exactly occurred. Yes, sir.
Speaker 9 (45:17):
Chief Smith, did Elkins show me signs of drug abuse, mental health issues? Did that come from the investigation?
Chief Wayne Smith (45:24):
I don't want to talk too much about the investigation because it's ongoing. I will say that his name was in fact in our system for some events sometime in the past.
Speaker 9 (45:39):
Has he been to Brentwood?
Chief Wayne Smith (45:40):
I don't know.
Speaker 7 (45:42):
Are investigators working with the National Guard to learn more about his background?
Chief Wayne Smith (45:48):
The FBI, our partners, that is a piece that they're taking on to find out as much as possible about Mr. Elkins' past.
Speaker 5 (45:58):
Chief, where did he get the gun? He was a felon, he shouldn't have had one. He couldn't purchase one, correct?
Chief Wayne Smith (46:03):
The ATF, we've been in communication with their agency this morning, yesterday. And that is a piece of the puzzle that they're working on to confirm where the weapon came from, its origin and its chain throughout its life, how it got to where it was.
Speaker 9 (46:27):
Chief, do you have an update on the status and condition of the women that were injured in this?
Chief Wayne Smith (46:32):
My investigator advised me this morning that both are still with us. No one has passed. One that was shot multiple times is a lot more critical than the other one, but both are still in the hospital and recovering. And at some point or another, there'll be a lot more interaction between us and them when they get healthy enough to do so.
Speaker 10 (46:59):
Chief, can you elaborate on the person that jumped off the roof and survived? Was this a child or an adult? And how did they escape?
Chief Wayne Smith (47:11):
Ask your question again, because there was...
Speaker 10 (47:13):
If you can elaborate on persons that jumped off the roof. If this was a child or an adult, and how did they escape?
Chief Wayne Smith (47:20):
It was a child and an adult, both that jumped off the roof and they both are in stable condition.
Speaker 10 (47:30):
Just a follow-up. What kind of firearm did the suspect have?
Chief Wayne Smith (47:35):
It appeared to be an assault pistol. What caliber? I'm not completely sure, but it was an assault-style weapon.
Speaker 8 (47:44):
Chief, do we know why he went to that location in Bossier City? Have you been able to figure out what the significance was of that home where he went to at this point, or is that still part of LSP's investigation?
Chief Wayne Smith (47:57):
I'm not sure. We have some theories or possibilities, but that would be a part of a Louisiana State Police investigation to try to confirm why that address was important to him.
Speaker 11 (48:09):
Chief, we've seen reports that Shamar and Shaneiqua had separation proceedings that were going to happen today in court. Can you confirm if that's true?
Chief Wayne Smith (48:18):
I cannot confirm that at this point. I have heard that also, but my team has not positively confirmed that as of yet.
Speaker 9 (48:27):
Chief, how recently was Shamar's name entered into the system? And can you go into the history that SPD has had encounters with Elkins?
Chief Wayne Smith (48:35):
That, I do not know. I was just advised that he did appear in our system. I don't know when and for what.
Speaker 6 (48:42):
And Chief, can you clarify who the women were as far as involvement with who they were to the victims and who they are in the relationship to the man, the shooter?
Chief Wayne Smith (48:51):
It is our understanding at this point, and still nonetheless, more information have to be confirmed that there was, or still was, a relationship between him and both parties.
Speaker 6 (49:04):
So, it was a wife and a girlfriend, wife and a child's mother?
Chief Wayne Smith (49:10):
Sure. Absolutely.
Speaker 6 (49:12):
Okay. Do you know how many children each woman had lost compared to one mother versus the other? I know that it was eight children that were killed. Do you know who...
Chief Wayne Smith (49:28):
I don't know exactly which children belonged to, which mother at this time, but both mothers had children whose lives were taken.
Pastor James Green (49:48):
If there are no more questions, thank you all for coming. May God bless you, may God bless Shreveport, may He bless Louisiana, and may bless He America.
(49:59)
Y'all have a great day.