Eight children are dead and two women were wounded after a gunman opened fire across two homes in Shreveport, Louisiana, early Sunday morning in what police are calling a domestic violence incident. The victims ranged in age from one to 14 years old.

According to KSLA and the Shreveport Police Department, officers responded around 6 a.m. to the 300 block of West 79th Street in the Cedar Grove neighborhood. A total of 10 people were shot. The only survivors are two women, one of whom suffered life-threatening injuries and was reportedly shot in the head. Police say she is believed to have been in a relationship with the suspect.

The gunman, whose name had not been released as of publication, stole a car while fleeing the scene and led police on a pursuit into neighboring Bossier City, where officers shot and killed him. Louisiana State Police is investigating the officer-involved shooting. No officers were harmed.

The scene spanned at least two residences, with investigators also combing a third location. Shreveport Police Spokesperson Chris Bordelon confirmed that several of the children killed were related to the suspect. "We do know that some of the children inside were his descendants," Bordelon said.

Police Chief Wayne Smith was visibly shaken at the scene. "I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur," he said. "This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen."

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux called it the worst tragedy the city of roughly 180,000 residents has ever faced. "This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had," he said. "It's a terrible morning."

The Shreveport shooting is the deadliest mass shooting in the United States since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to the Associated Press database maintained with USA Today and Northeastern University, per the AP. Not including Sunday's incident, the Gun Violence Archive lists at least 119 mass shootings in the U.S. so far in 2026, resulting in 117 deaths, including 79 children.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said he and his wife were "heartbroken" and offered prayers. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is from Shreveport, said in a statement that he was "holding the victims, their families and loved ones, and our Shreveport community close." Congressman Cleo Fields said the community was grateful to first responders for their rapid response.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Shreveport Police at 318-673-7300 or Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373. Anyone experiencing domestic violence can call the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office hotline at 318-560-2383.