A 13-year-old boy who survived the Shreveport mass shooting in Louisiana has described how he escaped the scene by jumping from a roof during a deadly rampage allegedly carried out by Army veteran Shamar Elkins, in an attack that left eight children dead, including seven of his own.

Authorities say the incident unfolded on April 19, 2026, across multiple homes in the Cedar Grove area of Shreveport, where Elkins allegedly carried out a series of shootings before fleeing the scene and later dying following a police pursuit in Bossier City.

Investigators confirmed that the victims included eight children aged between 3 and 11, with most of them identified as Elkins’ biological children and one nephew. Two adult women were also shot and survived with serious injuries.

The 13-year-old survivor is believed to be the only child to escape the second residence alive, reportedly jumping from the roof of the home as gunfire erupted inside. He suffered broken bones but is expected to recover following medical treatment.

Police say the attack began shortly after 6 a.m. at one residence before continuing at another nearby home, forming part of what officials have described as a domestic-related mass shooting spanning multiple locations.

Witness accounts and emergency calls indicate scenes of chaos as family members attempted to flee while shots were being fired. Authorities later recovered weapons believed to have been used in the attack as part of an ongoing investigation.

Elkins, a former Army National Guard member, had a prior weapons-related conviction, and investigators are continuing to examine his background, mental health history, and recent personal circumstances.

The case has drawn national attention due to its scale and the number of children involved, with officials still working to determine a definitive motive as the investigation remains active.